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Review
. 2020 Feb;64(2):145-155.
doi: 10.1111/aas.13507. Epub 2019 Dec 2.

New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation after heart surgery

Tomas Gudbjartsson  1   2 , Solveig Helgadottir  3 , Martin Ingi Sigurdsson  2   4 , Amar Taha  5   6 , Anders Jeppsson  6   7 , Thomas Decker Christensen  8 , Lars Peter Schoedt Riber  9
Affiliations
Review

New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation after heart surgery

Tomas Gudbjartsson et al. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2020 Feb.

Abstract

Background: New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (poAF) complicates approximately 20-60% of all cardiac surgical procedures and is associated with an increased periprocedural mortality and morbitity, prolonged hospital stay, increased costs, and worse long-term survival. Unfortunately multiple advances in surgery and perioperative care over the last two decades have not led to a reduction in the incidence of poAF or associated complications in the daily clinical practice.

Methods: A narrative review of the available literature was performed.

Results: An extensive review of the pathophysiology of poAF following cardiac surgery, clinical, and procedural risk-factors is provided, as well as prophylactic measures and treatment.

Conclusion: Multiple strategies to prevent and manage poAF following heart surgery already exist. Our hope is that this review will facilitate more rigorous testing of prevention strategies, implementation of prophylaxis regimens as well as optimal treatment of this common and serious complication.

Keywords: etiology; open heart surgery; outcome; postoperative atrial fibrillation; review; risk factors; survival.

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References

REFERENCES

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    1. Burrage P, Low Y, Campbell N, O'Brien B. New-onset atrial fibrillation in adult patients after cardiac surgery. Curr Anestehsiol Rep. 2019;9:174-193.
    1. Maisel WH, Rawn JD, Stevenson WG. Atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. Ann Intern Med. 2001;135:1061-1073.
    1. Aranki SF, Shaw DP, Adams DH, et al. Predictors of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery surgery. Current trends and impact on hospital resources. Circulation. 1996;94:390-397.
    1. Ahlsson A, Bodin L, Fengsrud E, Englund A. Patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation have a doubled cardiovascular mortality. Scand Cardiovasc J. 2009;43:330-336.

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