Hemofiltration during cardiopulmonary bypass does not decrease the incidence of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.
BACKGROUND
Atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs in 20%-50% of patients after cardiac surgery and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Corticosteroids are reported to decrease the incidence of postoperative AF, presumably by attenuating inflammation caused by surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We hypothesized that hemofiltration during CPB, which may attenuate inflammation, might decrease the incidence of AF after cardiac surgery.


METHODS
This was a retrospective review of patients previously enrolled in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating the effects of perioperative steroid therapy and hemofiltration during CPB on duration of postoperative mechanical ventilation. In that study, 192 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were randomized to 1 of 3 groups: controls (placebo), hemofiltration during CPB, or perioperative steroid therapy. Patient records were reviewed to determine the incidence of new onset AF defined as any electrocardiogram evidence of AF or AF diagnosed by the patients' clinicians.


RESULTS
Of the 192 enrolled patients, 3 were excluded for protocol violations and 4 were excluded for history of chronic AF. Data from 185 patients from the original study were available for review. Sixty patients (32%) had new onset AF after cardiac surgery. There was no difference among groups in the incidence of AF (control group, 21%; steroid group, 41%; hemofiltration group, 36%; P = 0.057 among groups). The only risk factor for the development of AF was age (mean age of patients with AF, 65.4 +/- 10.1 yr vs patients without AF, 61.4 +/- 11.5 yr; P = 0.024). When age, procedure type, and presence or absence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were controlled for in multivariate analysis, the difference among study groups remained nonsignificant (P = 0.108).


CONCLUSIONS
Perioperative corticosteroids or the use of hemofiltration during CPB did not decrease the incidence of AF after cardiac surgery. Further studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of perioperative corticosteroids for prevention of postoperative AF are warranted before their routine use can be recommended.
Mauermann
William J
WJ
Department of Anesthesiology and Biostatistics, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. mauermann.william@mayo.ed
Nuttall
Gregory A
GA
Cook
David J
DJ
Hanson
Andrew C
AC
Schroeder
Darrell R
DR
Oliver
William C
WC
D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006440:Hemofiltration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019990:Perioperative Care
D001786:Blood Glucose; D005938:Glucocorticoids