title: Advanced age and incidence of atrial fibrillation in the postoperative period of aortic valve replacement.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to describe the correlation between age and occurrence of atrial fibrillation after aortic stenosis surgery in the elderly as well as evaluate the influence of atrial fibrillation on the incidence of strokes, hospital length of stay, and hospital mortality.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional retrospective study of > 70 year-old patients who underwent isolated aortic valve replacement.
  
  
  RESULTS
  348 patients were included in the study (mean age 76.8±4.6 years). Overall, post-operative atrial fibrillation was 32.8% (n=114), but it was higher in patients aged 80 years and older (42.9% versus 28.8% in patients aged 70-79 years, P=0.017). There was borderline significance for linear correlation between age and atrial fibrillation (P=0.055). Intensive Care Unit and hospital lengths of stay were significantly increased in atrial fibrillation (P<0.001), but there was no increase in mortality or stroke associated with atrial fibrillation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Post-operative atrial fibrillation incidence in aortic valve replacement is high and correlates with age in patients aged 70 years and older and significantly more pronounced in patients aged 80 years. There was increased length of stay at Intensive Care Unit and hospital, but there was no increase in mortality or stroke. These data are important for planning prophylaxis and early treatment for this subgroup.
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pivatto Júnior
authors.forename: Guaracy Fernandes
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Teixeira Filho
authors.forename: João Ricardo Michelin
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Sant'anna
authors.forename: Pablo Mondim
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Py
authors.forename: Paulo Roberto
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Prates
authors.forename: Ivo Abrahão
authors.initials: IA
authors.lastname: Nesralla
authors.forename: Renato Abdala Karam
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Kalil
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000401:mortality; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020521:Stroke / Q000209:etiology / Q000401:mortality; D013997:Time Factors