Introduction: Due to its deleterious effects, early identifi cation of patients at risk of postoperative AF (POAF) is of critical importance. Preexisting proarrhythmic atrial remodeling could contribute to this increased risk. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the presence of preexisting proarrhythmic atrial remodeling and its impact on POAF occurrence in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: Data regarding atrial structural (atrial size and histology), electrical (P-wave and atrial action potential parameters, mRNA expression of several AF-related genes), and autonomic (heart rate variability parameters) proarrhythmic remodeling were compared between patients with (AF; n=11) and without (no-AF; n=19) POAF. Impact of POAF on postoperative outcomes was also evaluated. Results: No signifi cant difference was observed in atrial electrical parameters between the two groups (all p>0.05). However, compared with no-AF, AF patients had more important subepicardial adipose infi ltration (p=0.02) and higher markers of parasympathetic and sympathetic modulation (both p=0.03). Patients with POAF had longer hospital stay and more often presented postoperative renal dysfunction (both p=0.04). Conclusion: These fi ndings suggest that preexisting atrial structural (i.e., increased atrial subepicardial adiposity) and autonomic (i.e., sympatho-vagal coactivation) alterations could favor the occurrence of POAF. At its turn, POAF was associated with altered postoperative outcomes in CABG patients.
Sialic Acid or Troponin T to Detect Perioperative Myocardial Damage in Patients Undergoing Elective Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
