Effects of postoperative atrial fibrillation on cardiac surgery outcomes in Vietnam: a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess the impact of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) on short- and long-term outcomes after cardiac surgery. METHODS: We prospectively assessed POAF concerning outcomes in 379 adult patients who had undergone cardiac surgery in two heart surgery centers with a follow-up period of one year for every patient. The effects of POAF on postoperative events were evaluated using Logistic regression, Cox regression (adjusted for propensity score), and Kaplan-Meier analysis. RESULTS: The incidence of POAF was 27.2%. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed POAF was associated with an increased risk of 6-month (OR = 5.36; CI: 1.51-18.94; p = 0.009), and 1-year mortality (OR = 4.56; CI: 1.29-16.04; p = 0.018) as well as Major Adverse Cardiocerebral Events (MACEs; acute MI, cardiac arrest, low cardiac output after surgery, third-degree atrioventricular block or stroke; OR = 3.02; CI: 1.29-7.05; p = 0.011), Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay > 3 days (OR = 2.39; CI: 1.14-5.00; p = 0.021), and postoperative stay > 14 days (OR = 3.12; CI: 1.65-5.90; p < 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed POAF as an independent predictor of mortality at one year (HR = 2.86; CI: 1.05-7.75; p = 0.038). Discharge plans including statin and beta-blocker had an independent association with a reduced mortality at one year (HR = 0.22; CI: 0.05-0.96; p = 0.045; HR = 0.16; CI: 0.03-0.87; p = 0.034, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: POAF is associated with an increased risk of morbidity, all-cause mortality, and hospital duration. Statins and beta-blockers that were included in discharge plans had an independent association with reduction in 1-year all-cause mortality.

Predicting atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery using a simplified risk index.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication after cardiac surgery and can lead to increased risk of postoperative adverse events. However, atrial fibrillation and postoperative adverse events are preventable. In this study, a risk index was developed to predict atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 405 patients who had undergone adult cardiac surgery from 2015 September to 2016 August at Heart Institute of HCMC and Cho Ray Hospital were obtained. In order to predict POAF, a logistic regression model was developed, and a risk score was derived and validated by bootstrap. RESULTS: In our study, 98 patients developed POAF (24.2%). The risk score included three significant risk factors (age ≥ 60, left atrial diameter > 41 mm, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft with concomitant mitral valve replacement or repair) that were consistent with other reports. Each of these risk factors was assigned one point. The total risk score ranges from 0 to 3 (AUC = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.63-0.75) with the best cutoff point at 1. According to this scoring system, the incidences of POAF in patients associated with each score of 0, 1, 2, and 3 were 8.6%, 30.1%, 40.8%, and 58.3% respectively. Bootstrapping with 5000 samples confirmed the final model provided was consistent with predictions. CONCLUSIONS: We developed and validated a simple risk score based on clinical variables that can be obtained before surgery in order to accurately predict the risk of POAF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.