Relationship Between Preoperative Anxiety and Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation is a form of arrhythmia that frequently occurs after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Psychological factors may be involved in the development of atrial fibrillation, although the specific effect of anxiety remains unclear. PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the relationship between preoperative anxiety levels and atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. METHODS: This descriptive design study recruited a sample of 126 patients. The data were collected by the researcher using a patient information form and the State-Trait Anxiety Scale. RESULTS: Atrial fibrillation developed in 26.5% of the sample. Those who developed atrial fibrillation had a mean trait anxiety scale score of 40.2 ± 7.8, which is statistically significant. According to the results of logistic regression, it was observed that increased trait anxiety score, increased age, presence of comorbid disease, and noncompliance with respiratory physiotherapy increased the risk of developing atrial fibrillation. CONCLUSION/IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Preoperative anxiety levels were shown to be a significant factor promoting the development of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. The results support measuring anxiety levels in patients as a standard procedure before performing this surgical procedure.