Post Cardiovascular Surgery Atrial Fibrillation. Biomarkers Determining Prognosis

New onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiovascular surgery is associated with increased risk of complications and length of hospital stay. Identification of patients at high risk of post-operative AF (POAF) may help to act with preventive strategies having clinical and economic relevance.

The focus of this review is to summarize findings on biomarkers of myocardial fibrosis (PICP and PIIINP), profibrotic mediators (TGF-beta1), extracellular matrix remodeling (MMP-9), myocardial stretch (BNP and NTpro-BNP), inflammation (interleukins, C-reactive protein and sCD40L), and myocardial necrosis (high-sensitivity troponin T), biomarkers, that can be used in clinical practice to stratify patients at risk for POAF.

We searched English-language studies on MEDLINE and PubMed. Evidence synthesis was based on cohort studies, clinical trials and meta-analysis data. International clinical practice guidelines were reviewed, as well.

Factors such as cardiac remodelling, atrial pressure, surgery trauma, inflammation, oxidative stress, and sympathetic/parasympathetic activation have been implicated in the development of POAF. On the basis of multifactorial mechanism underlying the onset of POAF, several studies have investigated the predictive value of some serum biomarkers. To date, there are promising preliminary data on the clinical utility of PICP, PIINP, TGF-β1 and sCD40L, whereas data on NT-proBNP, BNP, CRP, IL- 6, and hs-cTnT are controversial.

Although some studies have shown promising results, there is a need for future larger studies with longer follow-up, before applying biomarkers as tools for POAF risk-stratification into clinical practice.