title: No decrease in incidence of atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the introduction of beating heart surgery, there has been a renewed interest in the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). A small number of studies have reported markedly decreased incidences of postoperative AF in patients undergoing off-pump CABG.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to review the incidence of AF in patients undergoing off-pump CABG at Royal Melbourne Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was undertaken of 80 patients who had elective first-time CABG off-pump over a 16-month period. These patients were matched with 80 patients who underwent CABG with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Data on preoperative and operative variables were collected. Incidences of postoperative AF in both groups were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The incidence of AF in the off-pump group was 27 of 80 patients (34%) and in the CPB group it was 25 of 80 patients (31%; NS). Increasing age was a significant risk factor for developing postoperative AF, and beta-blockade was identified as a protective factor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Off-pump CABG does not decrease the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. A randomised prospective trial has been commenced at Royal Melbourne Hospital to further investigate postoperative outcomes of off-pump CABG.
authors.affiliation: Cardiothoracic Unit, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. silvanamarasco@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Silvana F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Marasco
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goldblatt
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Tatoulis