Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is common after cardiac surgery and linked to poorer short- and long-term outcomes., however conflicting evidence exists on stroke risk and how the index procedure affects outcomes. This study aims to provide a comprehensive review of the published outcomes of POAF after cardiac surgery, examined as a whole and by index procedure.
Methods: A systematic review of POAF after cardiac surgery was conducted. Outcomes related to POAF were analysed in a meta-analysis and aggregate survival data was derived to examine long-term survival.
Results: Sixty-one studies with 239,018 patients were identified, the majority (78.7%) undergoing coronary surgery. POAF occurred in 25.5% of patients and was associated with significantly higher rates of early mortality and stroke (OR 1.74, p <0.001; OR 2.21, p <0.001, respectively) along with longer intensive care and overall hospital length of stay (mean difference 0.8 days, p = 0.008; mean difference 2.8 days, p <0.001, respectively). After a median of 6.6yrs (range 0.5-20), mortality and stroke remained significantly higher for those with POAF (OR 1.57, p <0.001; OR 1.81, p = 0.001). Pooled hazard ratio for long-term mortality was significantly higher for patients who underwent coronary surgery compared to isolated valve surgery.
Conclusions: POAF is common after cardiac surgery and is associated with significantly higher rates of both short- and long-term stroke and mortality as well as increased hospital stay. Differences in hazard for long-term survival may be due to the underlying pathophysiological risk factors for POAF which differ by surgical procedure.
