Predictors and consequences of postoperative atrial fibrillation following robotic totally endoscopic coronary bypass surgery
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Updated: May 11, 2026
Robotic Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: May 29, 2015
Felix Weidinger1, Thomas Schachner, Nikolaos Bonaros
1Department of Cardiac Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
Insights
Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AFib) after totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) grafting occurred in 15.4% of patients. Age and body weight were key predictors, with no significant impact on survival.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Cardiac Surgery
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
Background:
- Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AFib) is a frequent complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
- Limited data exists on AFib incidence following minimally invasive cardiac surgery techniques.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of AFib after totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) grafting.
- To identify factors associated with AFib occurrence in TECAB patients.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 384 patients undergoing TECAB between 2001 and 2010 was analyzed.
- Patient data including demographics, surgical details (single vs. multivessel, beating heart, hybrid procedures), and outcomes were collected.
- Statistical analyses, including univariate and multivariate, were performed to identify predictors of AFib.
Main Results:
- The incidence of postoperative AFib following TECAB was 15.4% (59 patients).
- Univariate analysis identified hypertension, increased age, body weight, BMI, EuroSCORE, and longer operation time as significant factors.
- Multivariate analysis revealed age and higher body weight as the sole significant predictors of AFib.
- No significant differences in hospital mortality, length of stay, or 5-year survival were observed between patients with and without AFib.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of AFib after TECAB is relatively low.
- Patient age and body weight are the primary predictors for developing AFib post-TECAB.
- Postoperative AFib does not appear to negatively impact short-term clinical outcomes or intermediate-term survival in TECAB patients.
Objectives:
Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AFib) is common in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Little information is available concerning AFib following minimally invasive cardiac surgery. The aim of our study was to assess the incidence of AFib after totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) grafting and to investigate the factors influencing its occurrence.
Methods:
Between 2001 and 2010, we performed TECAB in 384 patients, 73% male, aged 60 (37-90) years. Single-vessel bypasses were performed in 280 patients, and 104 received multivessel coronary revascularization. Procedures were performed on the beating heart in 80 cases, and 164 patients underwent a hybrid intervention.
Results:
A total of 59 patients (15.4%) developed AFib after TECAB. Univariate analysis showed hypertension (P=0.005), increased age (P=0.007), body weight (P=0.006), body mass index (P=0.005), EuroSCORE (P=0.035) and total TECAB operation time (P=0.01) to be significantly associated with AFib. We also found an increased incidence of AFib in patients undergoing hybrid interventions (P=0.036) and beating heart TECAB (P=0.003). Age (P<0.001) and higher body weight (P=0.003) were the only predictors found to be significant in multivariate analysis. Hospital mortality was 1.7% (1 of 59) in the group of patients with AFib and 0.6% (2 of 325) in the group that showed no AFib after operation (P=n.s.). Hospital stay was 7 (4-54) days in patients with AFib and 6 (2-33) days in those without AFib (P=n.s.). There was no significant 5-year survival difference in patients with and without postoperative AFib (94 vs 94%, P=n.s.).
Conclusions:
We conclude that the incidence of postoperative AFib in TECAB is relatively low. Age and body weight are the most important predictors of postoperative AFib following TECAB. Short-term clinical outcome and intermediate-term survival are similar in patients with and without postoperative AFib.
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