Post operative atrial fibrillation after non-cardiothoracic surgery is an increasingly common problem. There is little high quality data to guide clinicians in risk prediction as well as short term and long term management. There appears to be a significant risk of recurrent atrial fibrillation and stroke but effective screening strategies have not been tested. In this commentary, we delineate various controversies in the management of post operative atrial fibrillation and briefly review the available evidence. Prospective studies in this clinically important area of cardiology should be encouraged.
K E Y W O R D SAtrial fibrillation, Non-cardiac non-thoracic surgery
| INTRODUCTIONAtrial fibrillation (AF) affects >2.5 million Americans and is often diagnosed after both cardiac and noncardiac surgeries. Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication after cardiothoracic surgery (CTS), with a reported incidence of 30% to 50% and increases mortality, length of hospital stay, and cost of care. 1 Prevention and management of POAF after cardiac surgery is guided by the results of several randomized controlled trials.On the other hand, POAF after noncardiac and nonthoracic surgery (NCTS) is less well studied. Depending on the type of surgery, the incidence varies widely, but it is approximately 3% among unsel-
| POAF OCCURRING AFTER CTS AND NCTSIn this article, we compare and contrast the differences between POAF occurring after CTS and NCTS and discuss controversies in management.
| Is the pathophysiology of POAF different after NCTS compared with CTS?After CTS, it is intuitive that direct handling of the heart (which is likely diseased), elevated cardiac pressures, and/or local inflammation can precipitate POAF. 1 As inflammation and local injury subside, POAF often spontaneously resolves. After NCTS, the precipitants of POAF are often more systemic in nature. Some of the known precipitants for POAF after noncardiac surgery are shown in the
| Does POAF impact short-term outcomes after NCTS?Evidence suggests that POAF after NCTS is associated with a higher risk of postoperative complications such as bacterial pneumonia and congestive heart failure and leads to increased hospital stay and postoperative mortality. 2,7 In the Perioperative Ischemic Evaluation (POISE) study of perioperative β-blockade use in NCTS, POAF was associated with an increased risk of stroke at 30 days. 8 Based on the factors delineated in table 1, POAF is as much a marker of a sicker