Canadian Cardiovascular Society Atrial Fibrillation Guidelines 2010: Prevention and Treatment of Atrial Fibrillation Following Cardiac Surgery

Atrial Fibrillation at Mid-Term After Bioprosthetic Aortic Valve Replacement

“…15, 16 In patients experiencing POAF, it is recommended to anticoagulate patients if POAF lasts >24-48 h or when the probability that POAF is permanent or recurrent is high. 39, 40 In the latter case, anticoagulation should last at least 1 month after restoring sinus rhythm because of stunning of atrial myocardium leading to increased risk of thromboembolism. ACC/AHA guidelines for the management of AF gives a grade of IIa for anticoagulation in surgical patients, 41 as recommended for non-surgical patients.…”

Predictors of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation after On-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Is Duration of Mechanical Ventilation Time a Risk Factor?

“…1) The presence of AF following CABG is associated with a two-fold increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. 2) There is a higher occurrence of heart failure and stroke, both related to longer hospital stay, and consequently, with very high surgery costs.…”

Catheter Ablation to Maintain Sinus Rhythm

“…Catheter ablation is indicated for treatment of patients with symptomatic AF in whom 1 or more attempts at antiarrhythmic drug therapy have failed. [1][2][3][4] Although current guidelines state that it is appropriate to perform catheter ablation as first-line therapy in selected patients, in my clinical practice this is rare. This reflects a number of important realities concerning the field of AF ablation.…”

“…[1][2][3][4] In fact, catheter ablation of AF has become one of the most commonly performed catheter ablation procedures at most large medical centers throughout the world. The objective of the present report is to provide a state-of-the-art review of the techniques, outcomes, and complications of catheter ablation of AF.…”