Atrial fibrillation after surgery for esophageal carcinoma: clinical and prognostic significance.
OBJECTIVE
To retrospectively evaluate the clinical relevance, perioperative risk factors, outcome of different pharmacological prophylaxis, and short-term prognostic value of atrial fibrillation (AF) after surgery for esophageal carcinoma.


METHODS
We retrospectively studied 63 patients with AF after surgery for esophageal carcinoma in comparison with 126 patients without AF after esophagectomy during the same time. Postoperative AF incidence was related to different clinical factors possibly involved in its occurrence and short-term survival.


RESULTS
A strong relationship was observed between AF and postoperative hypoxia, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), postoperative thoracic-gastric dilatation, age older than 65 years, male sex and history of cardiac disease. No difference was observed between the two groups with regard to short-term mortality and length of hospital stay.


CONCLUSIONS
AF occurs more frequently after esophagectomy in aged and male patients. Other factors contributing to postoperative AF are history of COPD and cardiac disease, postoperative hypoxia and thoracic-gastric dilatation.
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
Jian-Yang
JY
Ma
Yun
Y
Wang
Yong-Fan
YF
Zhao
Zhu
Z
Wu
Lun-Xu
LX
Liu
Ying-Li
YL
Kou
Jun-Jie
JJ
Yang
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents