Atrial Fibrillation Post Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery Incidence and Risk factors

Background: Atrial fibrillation is a common complication following cardiac surgery, especially coronary artery bypass grafting. Although this condition mostly benign but it can increase mortality and morbidity postoperative and leading to longer ICU stay and increase the costs. Aim of the work: to investigate and analyse the atrial fibrillation incidence and risk factors in patient undergoing CABG in addition to its effect on intensive care unit and postoperative hospital stay. Patients and methods: Our study was retrospective non-randomized. Between January 2018 and January 2020, 50 patients were recruited from a total of 225 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery at Al-Azhar University Hospitals. In these 50 cases, we studied their risk factors that were possibly connected to the development of atrial fibrillation post CABG surgeries. Results: In our study, the rate of POAF was 22.22 percent, with 50 patients out of 225 underwent isolated CABG operations over the course of two years. Our findings show that old age, a history of hypertension, smoking, low ejection fraction, a dilated left atrium, longer bypass time, early ischemic changes in ECG and low potassium level are all predictors of atrial fibrillation after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting. Conclusion: Atrial fibrillation is the most frequently occurring arrhythmic complication post cardiac surgery. Around 10%–60% of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft and valvular surgery experience new-onset atrial fibrillation. Although it is a benign complication, it may contribute to mortality, morbidity, and prolongs the ICU stay, and elevates the hospitalization costs.