ECG Monitoring After Cardiac Surgery

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most common complications after cardiac surgery and is associated with adverse outcomes such as increased mortality, neurological problems, longer hospitalizations, and increased cost of care. Major risk factors for the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation include older age and a history of atrial fibrillation. β-Blockers are the most effective preventive therapy, although sotalol and amiodarone can also be used for prophylaxis. In the postoperative period, the nurse plays an important role in the early detection of atrial fibrillation by the recording of an atrial electrogram, which is easily obtained from the bedside monitor. Because an atrial electrogram records larger atrial activity than ventricular activity, it can be invaluable in establishing the diagnosis of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Once atrial fibrillation begins, treatment can be started with either rhythm conversion or rate-controlling medications.

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Postoperative atrial fibrillation: Target for stroke prevention?

European Stroke Journal ◽

10.1177/2396987317719363 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2 (3) ◽

pp. 222-228 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Vincent Thijs ◽

Robin Lemmens ◽

Omar Farouque ◽

Geoffrey Donnan ◽

Hein Heidbuchel

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Long Term Outcomes ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

History Of ◽

Long Term Mortality

Purpose A substantial number of patients without a history of atrial fibrillation who undergo surgery develop one or more episodes of atrial fibrillation in the first few days after the operation. We studied whether postoperative transient atrial fibrillation is a risk factor for future atrial fibrillation, stroke and death. Method We performed a narrative review of the literature on epidemiology, mechanisms, risk of atrial fibrillation, stroke and death after postoperative atrial fibrillation. We reviewed antithrombotic guidelines on this topic and identified gaps in current management. Findings Patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation are at high risk of developing atrial fibrillation in the long term. Mortality is also increased. Most, but not all observational studies report a higher risk of stroke. The optimal antithrombotic regimen for patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation has not been defined. The role of lifestyle changes and of surgical occlusion of the left atrial appendage in preventing adverse outcomes after postoperative atrial fibrillation is not established. Conclusion Further studies are warranted to establish the optimal strategy to prevent adverse long-term outcomes after transient, postoperative atrial fibrillation.

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Abstract 17255: Premature Atrial Stimulation Reveals Increased Conduction Slowing and Block in Cardiac Surgery Patients That Develop Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.142.suppl_3.17255 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 142 (Suppl_3) ◽

Author(s):

Muhammad S Khan ◽

Vikas Sharma ◽

Ravi Ranjan ◽

Jason P Glotzbach ◽

Craig Selzman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Pulmonary Veins ◽

Conduction Block ◽

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Conduction Delay ◽

Epicardial Mapping ◽

Conduction Abnormalities ◽

History Of ◽

Atrial Stimulation

Introduction: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common cardiac surgery complication that is highly associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The relation of presurgical left atrial (LA) conduction abnormalities and POAF during intraoperative premature atrial stimulation (S1S2) pacing is investigated and reported. Hypothesis: Intraoperative premature atrial stimulation reveals increased areas of slowed or blocked conduction in patients that develop POAF. Methods: High-density intraoperative epicardial mapping was conducted in 20 cardiac surgery patients with no history of preoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) both in sinus rhythm (SR) and during S1S2 pacing. A flexible array comprised of 240 electrodes was placed on the posterior LA wall in between the pulmonary veins. For each patient, the area of conduction block (CB), conduction delay (CD) and combined conduction delay and block (CDCB) for conduction velocity <0.1 m/s, 0.1 - 0.2 m/s and <0.2 m/s, respectively were quantified. Results: In 20 patients, 6 (30%) developed POAF. As shown in the Figure, conduction maps revealed the presence of significantly higher areas of CD (13.2±6.6% vs. 6.1±4.2%, p=0.03) and CDCB (17.5±8.7% vs. 7.4±6.4%, p=0.03), and a trend toward larger CB (4.2±3.8% vs. 1.3±2.9%, p=0.09) in patients that developed POAF for premature atrial beat S2 compared to patients that remained in SR after cardiac surgery. S1 paced beats and SR did not show significant differences in abnormal conduction percentages between patients with and without POAF. Conclusions: Premature atrial stimulation accentuates conduction abnormalities in cardiac surgery patients that develop POAF, revealing a pre-surgical substrate that may indicate greater risk for post-surgical atrial arrhythmias.

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Comparison of Rosuvastatin versus Atorvastatin for Preventing Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation

The Heart Surgery Forum ◽

10.1532/hsf98.20121061 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 16 (3) ◽

pp. 158 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Okay Abaci ◽

Cuneyt Kocas ◽

Veysel Oktay ◽

Cenk Eray Yildiz ◽

Kadriye Orta Kilickesmez ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Left Ventricular ◽

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Atorvastatin Treatment ◽

Elective Cardiac Surgery ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of ◽

Group 2 ◽

Group 1

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) following cardiac surgery is associated with an increased risk of stroke, prolonged hospitalization, and increased costs. Statin therapy is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative AF. We aimed to compare the preventive effects of rosuvastatin and atorvastatin on postoperative AF.Methods: This study included 168 patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to treatment of statin. Group 1 (n = 96) was patients receiving atorvastatin, and group 2 (n = 72) was patients receiving rosuvastatin. Postoperative electrocardiographs (ECGs) and telemetry strips were examined for AF within postoperative period during hospitalization.Results: The incidences of postoperative AF were 17.9% (n = 17) in group 1 and 22.2% (n = 16) in group 2 (P = .48). Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) and ejection fraction (EF) were not different between groups. Incidence of diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, myocardial infarction in past medical history, family history of atherosclerosis, male sex, drug use, and perioperative features were similar between groups.Conclusions: The present study revealed that preoperative rosuvastatin or atorvastatin treatment did not have a different effect in preventing postoperative AF.

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Timing of β-Blocker Reintroduction and the Occurrence of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation after Cardiac Surgery

Anesthesiology ◽

10.1097/aln.0000000000003064 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 132 (2) ◽

pp. 267-279 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Camille Couffignal ◽

Julien Amour ◽

Nora Ait-Hamou ◽

Bernard Cholley ◽

Jean-Luc Fellahi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Odds Ratio ◽

Adjusted Odds Ratio ◽

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Outcome Relationship ◽

History Of ◽

Β Blocker ◽

Β Blockers

Abstract Editor’s Perspective What We Already Know about This Topic What This Article Tells Us That Is New Background For cardiac surgery patients under chronic β-blocker therapy, guidelines recommend their early postoperative reintroduction to decrease the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. The authors hypothesized that the timing of β-blocker reintroduction affects their effectiveness on the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Methods This multicenter prospective French cohort study included patients on β-blockers (more than 30 days before surgery) in sinus rhythm without a pacemaker. The primary outcome, time sequence of β-blocker reintroduction, was analyzed for 192 h after surgery. The secondary outcome, relationship between the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation and timing of β-blocker reintroduction, was analyzed based on pre- and intraoperative predictors (full and selected sets) according to landmark times (patients in whom atrial fibrillation occurred before a given landmark time were not analyzed). Results Of 663 patients, β-blockers were reintroduced for 532 (80%) but for only 261 (39%) patients in the first 48 h after surgery. Median duration before reintroduction was 49.5 h (95% CI, 48 to 51.5 h). Postoperative atrial fibrillation or death (N = 4) occurred in 290 (44%) patients. After performing a landmark analysis to take into account the timing of β-blocker reintroduction, the adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for predictor full and selected (increased age, history of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, and duration of aortic cross clamping) sets for the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation were: adjusted odds ratio (full) = 0.87 (0.58 to 1.32; P = 0.517) and adjusted odds ratio (selected) = 0.84 (0.58 to 1.21; P = 0.338) at 48 h; adjusted odds ratio (full) = 0.64 (0.39 to 1.05; P = 0.076) and adjusted odds ratio (selected) = 0.58 (0.38 to 0.89; P = 0.013) at 72 h; adjusted odds ratio (full) = 0.58 (0.31 to 1.07; P = 0.079) and adjusted odds ratio (selected) = 0.53 (0.31 to 0.91; P = 0.021) at 96 h. Conclusions β-Blockers were reintroduced early (after less than 48 h) in fewer than half of the cardiac surgery patients. Reintroduction decreased postoperative atrial fibrillation occurrence only at later time points and only in the predictor selected set model. These results are an incentive to optimize (timing, doses, or titration) β-blocker reintroduction after cardiac surgery.

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Faculty Opinions recommendation of Randomized trial of atorvastatin for reduction of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: results of the ARMYDA-3 (Atorvastatin for Reduction of MYocardial Dysrhythmia After cardiac surgery) study.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.1046730.496737 ◽

2006 ◽

Author(s):

Patrick Wouters

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Randomized Trial ◽

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation

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Subacute postoperative atrial fibrillation after heart surgery: incidence and predictive factors in cardiac rehabilitation

European Journal of Preventive Cardiology ◽

10.1093/eurjpc/zwab061.326 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 28 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

V Rizza ◽

F Maranta ◽

L Cianfanelli ◽

R Grippo ◽

C Meloni ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Hospital Stay ◽

Heart Surgery ◽

Troponin T ◽

Management Strategies ◽

Inpatient Rehabilitation ◽

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Valvular Surgery

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background. Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common arrhythmic complication following cardiac surgery. It may occur between the second and fourth postoperative days as acute POAF, or within 30 days as subacute POAF (sPOAF). The incidence varies from 15% to 60%, with the highest rates observed in patients undergoing valvular surgery. POAF is associated with longer hospital stay and higher thromboembolic risk, which consistently increase patients’ morbidity and mortality. Identification of high-risk categories may allow optimization of in-hospital prevention and treatment, possibly improving clinical outcomes. Aim of the study. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of sPOAF and to identify possible predictors in patients performing Cardiovascular Rehabilitation (CR) after Cardiac Surgery (CS). Methods. A single-centre retrospective study was performed on 383 post-cardiac surgery patients hospitalised in our CR Unit for inpatient rehabilitation. The entire population was on sinus rhythm at the admission in CR and continuous monitoring with 12-lead ECG telemetry was performed during the hospital stay. We calculated the incidence of sPOAF and then evaluated the predictive value of the following variables: anamnestic data, type of cardiac intervention, clinical course in both CS and CR Unit, laboratory parameters including baseline neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). Results. Median age was 65 years (63% male). sPOAF was documented in 122 cases (31.9%). Patients developing sPOAF were older [median age 69 (63-76) vs. 61 (51-70); p < 0.001)], more frequently underwent complex surgical procedures (50% vs. 36%; p = 0.009) and were known for previous episodes of atrial fibrillation (27.9% vs. 11.2%; p < 0.001). On the first day after surgery (T1), sPOAF group showed higher values of glycemia [median 155 (126.5–186.8) vs. 129 (106.5–164); p < 0.001] and troponin T [median 721.5 (470.1–1084.3) vs. 488 (301.6-776.2); p < 0.001]. The multivariate analysis identified advanced age (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.08; p = 0.023), acute POAF in the Cardiac Surgery Unit (OR 3.51, 95% CI 1.62-7.59; p = 0.001), baseline NLR (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.10-1.93; p = 0.008) and T1-troponin > 552 ng/L (OR 4.16 95% CI 1.50-11.53; p = 0.006) as independent risk predictors of sPOAF during the CR period. Conclusions. sPOAF is common after cardiac surgery occurring in 31.9% of patients during CR. Age, acute POAF, baseline NLR and elevated troponin T on the first postoperative day were shown predictors of increased sPOAF risk. Recognition of new predictors of POAF could be helpful to better stratify patients, improving management strategies and outcomes.

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Increasing Occurrence of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Contemporary Cardiac Surgery

Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia ◽

10.1053/j.jvca.2016.02.013 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 30 (5) ◽

pp. 1302-1307 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Jahangir Khan ◽

Niina Khan ◽

Eetu Loisa ◽

Jaakko Sutinen ◽

Jari Laurikka

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation

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Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation

10.21203/rs.3.rs-588749/v1 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Petraglia Laura ◽

Conte Maddalena ◽

Comentale Giuseppe ◽

Cabaro Serena ◽

Campana Pasquale ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Adipose Tissue ◽

Cardiac Surgery ◽

Epicardial Adipose Tissue ◽

Perioperative Period ◽

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein 1 ◽

Elective Cardiac Surgery ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract Background. Atrial fibrillation (AF) often occurs after cardiac surgery and is associated to increased risk of stroke and mortality. Several evidence support the important role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). It is known that an increased volume and a pro-inflammatory phenotype of epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) are both associated with AF onset in non surgical context. In the present study, we aim to evaluate whether also POAF occurrence may be triggered by an exalted production of inflammatory mediators from EAT.Methods. The study population was composed of 105 patients, with no history of paroxysmal or permanent AF, undergoing elective cardiac surgery. After clinical evaluation, all patients performed an echocardiographic study including the measurement of EAT thickness. Serum samples and EAT biopsies were collected before surgery. Levels of 10 inflammatory cytokines were measured in serum and EAT conditioned media. After surgery, cardiac rhythm was monitored for 7 days.Results. Forty-four patients (41.3%) developed POAF. As regard to cardiovascular therapy, only statin use was significantly lower in POAF patients (65.1% vs. 84.7%; p-0.032). Levels of Monocyte Chemoattractant Protein-1 (MCP-1), in both serum and EAT, were significantly higher in POAF patients (130.1 pg/ml vs. 68.7 pg/ml; p = < 0.001; 322.4 pg/ml vs. 153.4 pg/ml; p = 0.028 respectively). EAT levels of IL-6 were significantly increased in POAF patients compared to those in sinus rhythm (126.3 pg/ml vs. 23 pg/ml; p = < 0.005).ConclusionHigher EAT levels of IL6 and MCP1 are significantly associated with the occurrence of POAF. Statin therapy seems to play a role in preventing POAF. These results might pave the way for a targeted use of these drugs in the perioperative period.

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684 Cardiac troponins and adverse outcomes in European patients with atrial fibrillation: a report from the ESC-EHRA EORP atrial fibrillation general long-term registry

European Heart Journal Supplements ◽

10.1093/eurheartj/suab127.052 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 23 (Supplement_G) ◽

Author(s):

Marrco Vitolo ◽

Vincenzo Livio Malavasi ◽

Marco Proietti ◽

Igor Diemberger ◽

Laurent Fauchier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Atrial Fibrillation ◽

Regression Analysis ◽

Cox Regression ◽

Adverse Outcomes ◽

Cox Regression Analysis ◽

Coronary Syndrome ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of ◽

Cardiac Troponins

Abstract Aims Cardiac troponins (cTn) have been reported to be predictors for adverse outcomes in atrial fibrillation (AF), patients, but their actual use is still unclear. To assess the factors associated with cTn testing in routine clinical practice and to evaluate the association of elevated levels of cTn with adverse outcomes in a large contemporary cohort of European AF patients. Methods and results Patients enrolled in the ESC-EHRA EORP-AF General Long-Term Registry were stratified into three groups according to cTn levels as (i) cTn not tested, (ii) cTn in range (≤99th percentile), and (iii) cTn elevated (>99th percentile). The composite outcome of any thromboembolism/any acute coronary syndrome (ACS)/cardiovascular (CV) death, defined as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause death were the main endpoints. 10 445 (94.1%) AF patients were included in this analysis [median age 71 years, interquartile range (IQR): 63–77; males 59.7%]. cTn were tested in 2834 (27.1%). Overall, cTn was elevated in 904 (8.7%) and in-range in 1930 (18.5%) patients. Patients in whom cTn was tested tended to be younger (P < 0.001) and more frequently presenting with first detected AF and atypical AF-related symptoms (i.e. chest pain, dyspnoea, or syncope) (P < 0.001). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, female sex, in-hospital enrollment, first-detected AF, CV risk factors, history of coronary artery disease (CAD), and atypical AF symptoms were independently associated with cTn testing. After a median follow-up of 730 days (IQR: 692–749), 957 (9.7%) composite endpoints occurred while all-cause death was 9.5%. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a higher cumulative risk for both outcomes in patients with elevated cTn levels (Figure) (Log Rank tests, P < 0.001). On adjusted Cox regression analysis, elevated levels of cTn were independently associated with a higher risk for MACE [hazard ratio (HR): 1.74, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40–2.16] and all-cause death (HR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.21–1.74). Elevated levels of cTn were independently associated with a higher occurrence of MACE, all-cause death, any ACS, CV death and hospital readmission even after the exclusion of patients with history of CAD, diagnosis of ACS at discharge, those who underwent coronary revascularization during the admission and/or who were treated with oral anticoagulants plus antiplatelet therapy. Conclusions Elevated cTn levels were independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and adverse CV events, even after exclusion of CAD patients. Clinical factors that might enhance the need to rule out CAD were associated with cTn testing.

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