Risk Factors of Atrial Fibrillation Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting : A Preliminary Report

Background To evaluate the risks factors of atrial fibrillation (AF) following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods and Results Twelve hundred patients subjected to CABG were included. Postoperative AF developed in 278 patients (23.2%). Statistical analysis identified 5 independent predictors of AF: advanced age, history of supraventricular arrhythmias, preoperative heart failure, operation with standard CABG technique and repeated revascularization. Conclusions Postoperative AF caused a significant increase in mortality and hospitalization length. There were 4 independent risk factors of postoperative AF. Administration of β-blockers and the OPCAB (off-pump CABG) operating technique were identified as protective factors.