Prediction of early postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: is it possible?: The value of interatrial conduction time for the prediction of early postoperative atrial fibrillation using intra-operative transoesophageal echocardiography

BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation is common after cardiac surgery. In this study, we aimed to investigate the value of interatrial conduction time for the prediction of early postoperative atrial fibrillation, using intra-operative transoesophageal echocardiography. METHODS: A total of 65 patients undergoing cardiac surgery in our hospital between January and March 2007 were prospectively evaluated, and 59 patients with sinus rhythm were included in the study. We performed transoesophageal echocardiography on all patients, and intra-operatively measured the interatrial conduction time, as recently described. The patients with episodes of atrial fibrillation during the post-surgery hospitalisation period were defined as group 1 and those without episodes were defined as group 2. RESULTS: Mean interatrial conduction time was 74 ± 15.9 ms in group 1 and 54 ± 7.9 ms in group 2. The difference in interatrial conduction time between the two groups was statistically significant (p < 0.05). In this study we found a statistically significant interatrial conduction delay between the groups. Postoperative atrial fibrillation was more frequent in patients with a longer interatrial conduction time. CONCLUSION: Increased interatrial conduction time may cause postoperative atrial fibrillation and it can be measured intraoperatively by transoesophageal echocardiography.