Age is a strong risk factor for atrial fibrillation after pulmonary lobectomy.
BACKGROUND
Atrial fibrillation (AF) after pulmonary lobectomy can be associated with increased morbidity and mortality as well as increased costs.


METHODS
The records of 360 patients who underwent lobectomy between 2004 and 2008 at a single institution were reviewed. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify whether any recorded parameters served as prognostic variables in the development of AF.


RESULTS
The overall incidence of AF was 18% (65 of 360). Univariate/multivariate analyses showed that age and preoperative history of AF/antiarrhythmic medications were strongly predictive for the development of AF (P < or = .001).


CONCLUSIONS
Age and pre-existing cardiac disease/arrhythmias are strong risk factors for AF after pulmonary lobectomy by both univariate and multivariate analyses. This study suggests that the elderly are at increased risk for AF. Therefore, this population should be monitored closely or targeted for prophylactic therapy.
Hollings
Darius D
DD
Division of Thoracic Surgery, Rush University Medical Centre, 1725 W. Harrison St., Suite 774, Chicago, IL 60612, USA.
Higgins
Robert S D
RS
Faber
L Penfield
LP
Warren
William H
WH
Liptay
Michael J
MJ
Basu
Sanjib
S
Kim
Anthony W
AW
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000601:surgery; D018288:Carcinoma, Small Cell / Q000601:surgery; D002641:Chicago / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D055815:Young Adult
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents