Echocardiography is useful to predict postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing isolated coronary bypass surgery: A prospective study.

Objective:Postoperative atrial fibrillation is a major complication following coronary artery bypass graft. We hypothesized that, beyond clinical and electrocardiogram (ECG) data, transthoracic echocardiography could improve the prediction of postoperative atrial fibrillation.Methods:We prospectively studied 169 patients in sinus rhythm who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass graft in our institution. Clinical, biological, ECG and transthoracic echocardiography data were collected within 24 h before surgery. The patients were continuously monitored during the first five days, and then had daily 12-lead ECG afterwards until discharge. Postoperative atrial fibrillation was defined by any episode >10 min.Results:Postoperative atrial fibrillation was found in 65 patients (38%). Compared with those without, patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation were significantly older (p=0.008), had more frequently a history of hypertension (p=0.009), history of atrial fibrillation (p<0.001) and New York Heart...