Atrial Fibrillation Following Cardiac Surgery: Pathophysiology and Prevention Techniques (Part 2)

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most frequent complications occurring after cardiac surgery. This problem became especially crucial for the last decade due to brisk growth in cardiac surgery and surgeries in the patients with high risks. Post-operative atrial fibrillation confidently increases the risk of mortality and associated complications. This disease is diagnosed first of all by ECG tests. At present in order to detect atrial fibrillation early European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA) recommends using technologies of continuous rhythm monitoring - implanted cardiac monitors. Currently there are two main approaches to management of postoperative atrial fibrillation. These are the strategies of rhythm monitoring and heart rate monitoring supplemented anti-thrombotic therapy. A wide range of drugs is used for anti-thrombotic therapy in the patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Effective management of post-operative atrial fibrillation in those undergoing cardiac surgery is to consider clinical status of the patient, concurrent diseases and risk of stroke and hemorrhage.