Atrial Fibrillation after Descending Aorta Repair: Occurrence, Risk Factors, and Impact on Outcomes

Background As risks of repairing the descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aorta diminish, common complications that may prolong hospital stay, or actually increase risk, require attention. One such complication is postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF). Therefore, we characterized prevalence of, risk factors for, and effects of postoperative atrial fibrillation (PoAF) after descending and thoracoabdominal aorta repair. Methods From January 2000 to January 2011, 696 patients underwent open descending or thoracoabdominal aorta repair at Cleveland Clinic. Operations approached via median sternotomy ( n = 178) and patients treated preoperatively for arrhythmias (32 amiodarone, 9 paced) or in AF on preoperative electrocardiogram ( n = 14) were excluded, leaving 463. Logistic regression analysis identified risk factors for PoAF. Temporal relation of PoAF with postoperative morbidities was determined, and outcomes following PoAF were compared between propensity-matched pairs. Results New-onset PoAF occurred in 101 patients (22%) at a median 68 hours of postincision. Risk factors included older age ( p = 0.002) and history of remote AF ( p = 0.0004) but not operative details, such as pericardiotomy for cardiac cannulation. Hypoperfusion and neurologic complications tended to precede PoAF, whereas sepsis, respiratory failure, and dialysis followed. Among 94 propensity-matched patient pairs, those developing PoAF were more likely to experience hypoperfusion ( p = 0.006), respiratory failure ( p = 0.009), dialysis ( p = 0.04), paralysis ( p < 0.0001), longer intensive care unit stay (median 7 vs. 5 d, p = 0.02), and longer postoperative hospital stay (median 15 vs. 13 d, p = 0.004). However, hospital death was similar (6/94 PoAF [6.4%] vs. 7/94 no PoAF [7.4%], p = 0.8). Conclusion PoAF after descending thoracic aorta surgery is relatively common and a part of a constellation of other serious complications prolonging postoperative recovery. While PoAF was associated with adverse events, it did not impact postoperative cost and mortality. Descending thoracic aorta surgery is by itself comorbid enough, which is likely why PoAF does not have a more significant effect on postoperative recovery and cost.