The management of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that often develops post-operatively in coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) patients. Patients can become haemodynamically compromised very quickly as a result of the rapid heart rate and loss of cardiac output, while others may complain of the onset of ‘palpitations’ with no other physical signs of discomfort. In the routine assessment of post–operative CABG patients, atrial fibrillation can be easily detected and treated, especially when cardiac monitoring is in use. It can also be diagnosed by palpating an irregular pulse. In this case study the focus will be on the assessment, diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation of an 80 year-old woman.