Underestimation of the incidence of new-onset post–coronary artery bypass grafting atrial fibrillation and its impact on 30-day mortality

• Background Studies of resource utilization by patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting have addressed only length of stay and bed charges.• Objective To compare resource utilization between patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation and patients without atrial fibrillation after isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.• Methods Retrospective review of clinical and administrative electronic databases for 720 subjects who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass in 25 months at one medical center. The prevalence of atrial fibrillation was determined, and resource utilization in various hospital cost centers was compared between subjects with and without atrial fibrillation.• Results The prevalence of new-onset atrial fibrillation was 33.1%. Compared with subjects without atrial fibrillation, subjects with atrial fibrillation had a longer stay (5.8 ± 2.4 vs 4.4 ± 1.2 days, P< .001), more days receiving mechanical ventilation (P=.002) and oxygen therapy (P< .001), and higher rates of readmission to the intensive care unit (4.6% vs 0.2%, P< .001). Subjects with atrial fibrillation also had more laboratory tests (P< .001) and more days receiving cardiac drugs, heparin, diuretics, and electrolytes. Subjects with atrial fibrillation had higher total postoperative charges ($57261 ± $17 101 vs $50 905 ± $10 062, P = .001), a mean difference of $6356. The mean differences were greatest for bed charges ($1642), laboratory charges ($1215), pharmacy ($989), and respiratory care ($582).• Conclusions The economic impact of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting has been underestimated.

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New‐Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting and Long‐Term Outcome: A Population‐Based Nationwide Study From the SWEDEHEART Registry

Journal of the American Heart Association ◽

10.1161/jaha.120.017966 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Amar Taha ◽

Susanne J. Nielsen ◽

Lennart Bergfeldt ◽

Anders Ahlsson ◽

Leif Friberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Ischemic Stroke ◽

Coronary Artery ◽

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting ◽

Coronary Artery Bypass ◽

Artery Bypass ◽

Bypass Grafting ◽

Artery Bypass Grafting ◽

New Onset

Background The long‐term impact of new‐onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after coronary artery bypass grafting and the benefit of early‐initiated oral anticoagulation (OAC) in patients with POAF are uncertain. Methods and Results All patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting without preoperative atrial fibrillation in Sweden from 2007 to 2015 were included in a population‐based study using data from 4 national registries: SWEDEHEART (Swedish Web System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence‐based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies), National Patient Registry, Dispensed Drug Registry, and Cause of Death Registry. POAF was defined as any new‐onset atrial fibrillation during the first 30 postoperative days. Cox regression models (adjusted for age, sex, comorbidity, and medication) were used to assess long‐term outcome in patients with and without POAF, and potential associations between early‐initiated OAC and outcome. In a cohort of 24 523 patients with coronary artery bypass grafting, POAF occurred in 7368 patients (30.0%), and 1770 (24.0%) of them were prescribed OAC within 30 days after surgery. During follow‐up (median 4.5 years, range 0‒9 years), POAF was associated with increased risk of ischemic stroke (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.18 [95% CI, 1.05‒1.32]), any thromboembolism (ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, or peripheral arterial embolism) (aHR 1.16, 1.05‒1.28), heart failure hospitalization (aHR 1.35, 1.21‒1.51), and recurrent atrial fibrillation (aHR 4.16, 3.76‒4.60), but not with all‐cause mortality (aHR 1.08, 0.98‒1.18). Early initiation of OAC was not associated with reduced risk of ischemic stroke or any thromboembolism but with increased risk for major bleeding (aHR 1.40, 1.08‒1.82). Conclusions POAF after coronary artery bypass grafting is associated with negative prognostic impact. The role of early OAC therapy remains unclear. Studies aiming at reducing the occurrence of POAF and its consequences are warranted.

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