title: Recent unstable angina and off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting is not related to postoperative atrial fibrillation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently encountered postoperative arrhythmic complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). The purpose of the present study was to investigate the incidence and predictors of postoperative AF in patients with stable and unstable angina pectoris undergoing on-pump and off-pump CABG procedures.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and seventeen stable, unstable on-pump and off-pump CABG patients were included in the present study. Holter data were collected 1 day before the operation to the 2nd postoperative day. AF was registered as positive if any AF event occurred.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall incidence of postoperative AF and sustained AF was 31.6 and 25.6%, respectively. Postoperative AF incidences in stable on-pump, unstable on-pump and stable off-pump patients were 29.5, 39.0 and 25%, respectively (p = 0.412). Patients with AF had compromised postoperative haemodynamic function, greater need of inotropic support and antiarrhythmic medication, and longer intensive care unit (ICU) stays.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Post-CABG AF is associated with more complicated postoperative outcome. Recent unstable angina and off-pump procedure is not related to the occurrence of post-CABG AF.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
authors.forename: Zhong-Kai
authors.initials: ZK
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Tiina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iivainen
authors.forename: Erkki
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pehkonen
authors.forename: Jari
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Laurikka
authors.forename: Matti R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Tarkka
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000789:Angina, Unstable / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology*; D006328:Cardiac Catheterization; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006353:Heart-Assist Devices / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents