Postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting with and without use of cardiopulmonary bypass

BackgroundPostoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common complication associated with higher mortality rates, prolonged hospitalization, and increased treatment costs.The aimof this cross-sectional longitudinal study is to compare the incidence of POAF after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) performed with different surgical techniques. The primary outcome is defined as a heart rhythm disorder with atrial fibrillation characteristics that lasts longer than 5 min or requires treatment due to clinical instability.MethodsThe study included 229 hemodynamically stable patients with isolated coronary artery disease who underwent elective CABG. 153 patients underwent CABG with use of cardiopulmonary bypass (ONCAB) and 76 patients without it (OPCAB). In the preoperative risk assessment with modified score, the risk of POAF was higher in the ONCAB group.ResultsPOAF occurred in 86 (37.55%) of a total 229 patients. The number of new cases of POAF is lower in the OPCAB 36 (15.72%) compared to 50 (21.83%) in the ONCAB group (p = 0.031). In the postoperative period there was a significant difference in the time of onset of the primary outcome, the time spent in the IUC and the length of hospitalization.ConclusionPOAFs are more common in ONCAB operating technique. The OPCAB technique reduces postoperative complications, shortens the stay in the IUC and the length of hospitalization, and reduces treatment costs.