Abstract
Background Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is associated with increased morality rate,
prolonged hospitalization, and reduced long-term survival after surgery. Thus, prediction
of POAF is important to assess surgical risk and provide prophylaxis.
Methods It was a prospective study of 207 consecutive patients who underwent a routine preoperative
laboratory testing before thoracic surgery from October 2016 to May 2017. Comprehensive
data were collected. Then stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was adopted
to identify significant risk factors associated with POAF from various variables.
Results As results, three variables as follows: male gender, open thoracotomy, and B-type
natriuretic peptide (BNP) exceeding 59 pg/mL were considered as independent risk factors
associated with POAF (p < 0.05).
Conclusion In patients undergoing noncardiac thoracic surgery, we found that an elevated preoperative
BNP level (with the level of 59 pg/mL as a cutoff), male gender, and open-chest surgeries
were significant risk factors for POAF. The identification of patients who are prone
to develop POAF will provide prevention strategies to reduce this complication.
Keywords
atrial fibrillation - thoracic surgery - high risk
