title: Postoperative atrial fibrillation: incidence, mechanisms, and clinical correlates.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation is the most commonly encountered arrhythmia after cardiac surgery. Although usually self-limiting, it represents an important predictor of increased patient morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Numerous studies have attempted to determine the underlying mechanisms of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) with varied success. A multifactorial pathophysiology is hypothesized, with inflammation and postoperative β-adrenergic activation recognized as important contributing factors. The management of POAF is complicated by a paucity of data relating to the outcomes of different therapeutic interventions in this population. This article reviews the literature on epidemiology, mechanisms, and risk factors of POAF, with a subsequent focus on the therapeutic interventions and guidelines regarding management.
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, SPC 5856, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Medicine, Michigan State University, 788 Service Road, Rm B301, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA.
authors.forename: Mrinal
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yadava
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, 3116 Taubman Center, SPC 5368, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Hughey
authors.affiliation: Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of Michigan, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, SPC 5856, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: thomcraw@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Thomas Christopher
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Crawford
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D002317:Cardiovascular Agents
keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Beta-blockers; Coronary artery bypass grafting; Postoperative atrial fibrillation