Does off-pump coronary artery surgery reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation?
A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether off-pump coronary artery surgery reduces the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Altogether 107 papers were found using the reported search, of which 18 presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. We conclude that off-pump coronary artery surgery significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation with a number needed to treat of 20 to prevent one case of AF.
Department of Cardiac Surgery, Alder Hey Hospital, Liverpool L12 2AP, UK.
Shahzad G
SG
Raja
Ali A
AA
Behranwala
J
J
Dunning