title: Reduced incidence of atrial fibrillation with minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent complication after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of postoperative AF after minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) in comparison with CABG.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between November 1995 and May 1997, 96 MIDCAB procedures were performed. During the same period, 42 patients underwent traditional single CABG using the left internal mammary artery graft (S-CABG). The incidence of in-hospital AF, defined as a sustained episode requiring treatment, was compared between the two groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no difference in age, ejection fraction, or preoperative risk score between the groups. The use of beta-blockers before or after surgery was not different. The incidence of postoperative AF in the first 6 weeks after surgery was 4% (4 of 96) for MIDCAB and 28% (12 of 42) for S-CABG (p = 0.003). Patients with postoperati
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15212, USA.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: d'Amato
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Savage
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wiechmann
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sakert
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Benckart
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Magovern
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors