title: Prophylaxis and management of atrial fibrillation after general thoracic surgery.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) commonly affects patients after general thoracic surgery. Postoperative AF increases hospital stay and charges. Effective prophylaxis and treatment is the goal. Calcium channel blockers prevent postoperative AF. Beta blockers are a less viable choice. Amiodarone prophylaxis should be avoided in patients with pulmonary dysfunction or who require pneumonectomy. In management of AF, a brief trial of rate-control agents is appropriate; however, chemical cardioversion with rhythm-control agents should be instituted after 24 hours. High-risk patients with history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, or with two or more risk factors for thromboembolism should receive anticoagulation therapy.
authors: Division of Thoracic Surgery, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Stanford University School of Medicine, 300 Pasteur Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
authors: Robert E
authors: RE
authors: Merritt
authors: Joseph B
authors: JB
authors: Shrager
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019468:Disease Management; D006801:Humans; D009017:Morbidity; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D019616:Thoracic Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D002121:Calcium Channel Blockers