Predictors of Atrial Fibrillation Following Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent and serious complication of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. METHODS We undertook a retrospective review of the records of patients undergoing CABG at Imam Ali Hospital between February 1, 2003 and February 1, 2006. The patients were divided in two groups, ie, Group A (AF) and Group B (no AF). The association between the occurrence of AF following CABG and other variables was compared with respect to continuous or categorical variables by t-test and χ(2)-test. RESULTS Multivariate logistic regression analysis of potentially predictive factors in univariate analysis showed that opium use, type of operation, and crossclamp time were predictors of AF following CABG. CONCLUSION This study identifies some new predictors of postoperative AF, control of which could lead to a lower incidence of AF and reduced morbidity, mortality, and resource utilization for patients undergoing cardiac surgery.