title: Preoperative plasma brain natriuretic peptide level is an independent predictor of postoperative atrial fibrillation following off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent complication after coronary artery bypass surgery. Postoperative AF can lead to thromboembolic events, prolonged hospital stay, and increased costs. Recent reports have shown that an elevated plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level is associated with AF. The purpose of this prospective study was to test the hypothesis that preoperative BNP level is a predictor of postoperative AF following off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fifty patients without a history of AF undergoing elective isolated OPCAB were enrolled. Plasma BNP level was measured preoperatively. Heart rate and rhythm were continuously monitored during the first 72 h after surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty-six patients (17.3%) exhibited postoperative AF. This proportion is similar to those reported in earlier studies. Univariate analysis demonstrated that age (odds ratio [OR], 1.060; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.008 to 1.114; P = 0.023), previous myocardial infarction (MI; OR, 2.628; 95% CI, 1.031 to 6.697; P = 0.043), and BNP level (OR, 7.336; 95% CI, 2.401 to 22.409 / log BNP level; P < 0.001) were accurate predictors of postoperative AF. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis indicated age (OR, 1.059; 95% CI, 1.002 to 1.120; P = 0.043) and BNP level (OR, 6.272; 95% CI, 1.980 to 19.861/log BNP level; P = 0.002) as the only independent predictors of postoperative AF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Preoperative BNP level is an independent predictor of postoperative AF following OPCAB. Our findings permit us to stratify the risk of AF and to plan prophylactic strategies in high-risk patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshimasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Akazawa
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishihara
authors.forename: Hitomi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwata
authors.forename: Kengo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Warabi
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ohshima
authors.forename: Eiichi
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Inada
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000768:Anesthesia, General; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000097:blood*; D047549:Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion; D005260:Female; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007902:Length of Stay; D017616:Magnesium Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000097:blood* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011300:Preoperative Care; D012372:ROC Curve; D014882:Water-Electrolyte Balance / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; D017616:Magnesium Compounds