Postoperative atrial fibrillation is not correlated to C-reactive protein

• BACKGROUND: The peak incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) occurs around the second postoperative day, a time at which serum inflammatory markers are elevated. The aim of this study was to investigate differences between patients with and without postoperative AF with special regard to C-reactive protein (CRP) serum levels. METHODS: The study cohort included all heart surgery patients who had sinus rhythm preoperatively, survived postoperative day 3, and were operated on between July 1, 2004, and June 30, 2005 (n = 524). Any episode of AF during the first 7 postoperative days defined the patient as belonging to the postoperative AF group. Creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) was measured at postoperative day 1, and CRP was measured preoperatively and at postoperative day 3. Risk factors for postoperative AF were determined using bivariate and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Of 524 patients, 182 had at least one episode of AF (34.7%). Preoperative and postoperative CRP concentrations did not differ between the groups (postoperative CRP 175.4 +/- 64.4 versus 175.3 +/- 60.1 mg/L respectively, p = 0.99). Atrial fibrillation patients were significantly older (p < 0.001) and had higher CK-MB levels (33.6 +/- 53.1 microg/L versus 22.5 +/- 26.7 microg/L, respectively, p = 0.009). The odds ratio for postoperative AF with postoperative CK-MB greater than 70 microg/L was 3.5 (confidence interval: 1.4 to 8.6). CONCLUSIONS: Postoperative AF has no correlation to the inflammatory marker CRP in heart surgery patients. Ischemic myocardial injury might predispose for postoperative AF.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Kirurgi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Surgery (hsv//eng)

Keyword

MEDICINE

MEDICIN

Surgery

Kirurgi

Thoracic surgery

Thoraxkirurgi

Kirurgi, särskilt thoraxkirurgi

Surgery esp. Thoracic and Cardivascular Surgery

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)