Changes in P-wave dispersion and P-wave duration after open heart surgery are associated with the peak incidence of atrial fibrillation.
BACKGROUND
Increased P-wave dispersion (P-disp) and maximum P-wave duration (P-max) predict the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) in the general population. The present study evaluates the time-dependent relationship of P-disp and P-max after open heart surgery.


RESULTS
P-disp and P-max were measured in the perioperative period of open heart surgery (one day before surgery through postoperative day 4). Compared with the baseline, P-max decreased immediately after open heart surgery (112.63 +/- 7.4 ms vs 106.9 +/- 8.2 ms, P =.005). An increase in P-disp was observed between postoperative days 1 and 2 (37.5 +/- 6.8 ms vs 43.1 +/- 4.5 ms, P <.05), and postoperative days 1 and 3 (37.5 +/- 6.8 ms vs 44.1 +/- 6.6 ms, P <.05). There was also an increase in the P-max between postoperative day 1 and 3 (103 +/- 8.3 ms vs 110 +/- 7.7 ms, P <.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Nonuniform atrial conduction (P-disp) is greatest on days 2 and 3 after open heart surgery, and the longest atrial conduction time (P-max) is greatest on day 3 after open heart surgery, findings that coincide with the time of greatest risk for AF. (Heart Lung((R)) 2001;30:466-71.)
Tsikouris
J P
JP
Drug Information Center, Hartford Hospital, Connecticut 06102-5037, USA.
Kluger
J
J
Song
J
J
White
C M
CM
D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006329:Heart Conduction System; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011446:Prospective Studies