title: Tachyarrhythmias and triggering factors for atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass operations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We evaluated the role of supraventricular arrhythmias and assessed clinical predictors of atrial fibrillation (AF) that developed after coronary artery bypass operations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty patients, with a mean age of 65.8 years, underwent 24-hour Holter monitoring preoperatively and for 4 consecutive days postoperatively, or until clinically documented AF, for analysis of the number of premature beats and tachyarrhythmias. Atrial areas and atrial peptides were measured preoperatively and postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-nine of 80 (36.3%) patients had postoperative AF. Preoperatively, the maximal supraventricular premature beats per minute were higher in the AF group (p = 0.02). The body mass index and total amount of cardioplegia were lower (p = 0.02 and p = 0.006, respectively), and withdrawal of beta-blockers postoperatively more frequent (p = 0.001) in the AF group, but atrial areas and atrial peptides did not differ.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Frequent supraventricular premature beats preoperatively may indicate a propensity for AF. A larger amount of cardioplegia during the cross-clamp period may reduce the risk of postoperative AF. Further studies are mandatory to clarify why patients with lower body mass index were more prone to AF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden. lena.jideus@kirurgi.uu.se
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jidéus
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Blomström
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nilsson
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stridsberg
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hansell
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Blomström-Lundqvist
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000601:surgery; D015716:Electrocardiography, Ambulatory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013617:Tachycardia, Supraventricular / Q000150:complications