Controversies in postoperative atrial fibrillation after noncardiothoracic surgery: clinical and research implications

Perioperative cardiac risk reduction in non cardiac surgery

For patients undergoing nonemergent noncardiac surgery, care must be taken to identify patients at increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events, as these remain a significant source of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Identification of at-risk patients requires careful attention to risk factors including assessment of functional status, medical comorbidities, and a medication assessment. After identification, to minimize perioperative cardiac risk, care should be taken through a combination of appropriate medication management, close monitoring for cardiovascular ischemic events, and optimization of pre-existing medical conditions. There are multiple society guidelines that aim to mitigate risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing nonemergent noncardiac surgery. However, the rapid evolution of medical literature often creates gaps between the existing evidence and best practice recommendations. In this review, we aim to reconcile the recommendations made in the guidelines from the major cardiovascular and anesthesiology societies from the USA, Canada, and Europe, and to provide updated recommendations based on new evidence.

Perioperative Atrial Fibrillation and One-year Clinical Outcomes in Patients Following Major Emergency Abdominal Surgery

The prevalence and impact of perioperative atrial fibrillation (AF) during an admission for major emergency abdominal surgery are sparsely examined. Therefore, this study aimed to compare the 30-day and 1-year outcomes (AF-related hospitalization, stroke, and all-cause mortality) in patients with and without perioperative AF to their major emergency abdominal surgery. All patients without a history of AF who underwent major emergency abdominal surgery from 2000 to 2019 and discharged alive were identified using Danish nationwide registries. Patients with and without perioperative AF (defined as new-onset AF during the index hospitalization) were matched 1:4 on age, gender, year of surgery, and type of surgery. The cumulative incidences and hazard ratios of outcomes were assessed using a multivariable Cox regression analysis comparing patients with and without perioperative AF. A total of 2% of patients were diagnosed with perioperative AF. The matched cohort comprised 792 and 3,168 patients with and without perioperative AF, respectively (median age 78 years [twenty-fifth to seventy-fifth percentile 70 to 83 years]; 43% men). Cumulative incidences of AF-related hospitalizations, stroke, and mortality 1 year after discharge were 30% versus 3.4%, 3.4% versus 2.7%, and 35% versus 22% in patients with and without perioperative AF, respectively. The 30-day outcomes were similarly elevated among patients with perioperative AF. Perioperative AF during an admission for major emergency abdominal surgery was associated with higher 30-day and 1-year rates of AF-related hospitalization and mortality and similar rates of stroke. These findings suggest that perioperative AF is a prognostic marker of increased morbidity and mortality in relation to major emergency abdominal surgery and warrants further investigation.

Relationship between platelet mass index and postoperative atrial fibrillation after elective coronary artery bypass surgery: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common complication after cardiac surgery. The pathogenesis of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is multifactorial and one of the known factors is inflammation. Platelet mass index (PMI) is an indicator of platelet activation and a better inflammatory marker than mean platelet volume (MPV). In this retrospective study, we investigated the relationship between POAF and PMI.

METHODS

The study included 848 consecutive patients (655 male and 193 female) who had elective isolated coronary artery by-pass grafting (CABG) or combined CABG and valvular surgery. Platelet count and MPV were measured from preoperative blood samples to calculate PMI. Post-operative atrial fibrillation was defined as irregular and fibrillatory P waves occurring 48-96 h after cardiac surgery and lasting at least 30 s. The PMI values in patients who developed POAF were compared with those in patients who did not develop POAF.

RESULTS

Patients who developed POAF had higher PMI values (2549.3 ± 1077.1) when compared with patients in sinus rhythm (2248.1 ± 683.4; p < 0.01). In multivariate regression analysis, age (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02-1.09; p = 0.01), left atrial diameter (OR: 1.05; 95% CI: 1.03-1.09; p = 0.02), hs-CRP (OR: 1.09; 95%CI: 1.05-1.13; p < 0.01), EuroSCORE II (OR: 1.27; 95% CI: 1.14-1.41; p < 0.01), and PMI (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.001-1.02; p < 0.01) were independent predictors of POAF. In ROC analysis, PMI ≥ 2286 predicted POAF development with a sensitivity of 69% and a specificity of 58% (AUC: 0.66; p < 0.01) CONCLUSION: A significant relationship was found between preoperatively calculated PMI and POAF. We showed that PMI may be used to predict patients who are at high risk of developing POAF.

Perioperative care about a patient with multimorbidity

The assumption of accelerated postoperative recovery according to the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) method is good condition of the patient prepared for surgery and gently operated on. Application of ERAS in postoperative care in the situation of patient with multimorbidity requires an individual approach and greater pre-operative preparation. During the healing process, the operation causes a systemic inflammatory reaction in the body, which is proportional to the size of the surgery trauma. There is fluid movement between the intravascular and interstitial spaces, increased protein catabolism, increased susceptibility to infectious complications and increased risk of decompensation of chronic diseases. The mandatory content of the pre-operative examination is a functional cardiopulmonary reserves assessment, nutritional risk screening, update of diagnostic summary and optimization of chronic medication before surgery. Prehabilitation and nutritional preparation before the planned operation is influenced by the time urgency of the operation, but even in the case of cancer, short-term nutritional preparation is indicated., Medical workplaces are the most suitable for parenteral and enteral pre-operative nutrition however some surgical departments perform the preparation themselves if necessary. The GDT (Goal Directed Therapy) regimen with a higher degree of hemodynamic monitoring and intervention is applied in the postoperative care of hemodynamic unstable risk patients. Next to decompensation of a chronic disease is mainly heart rhythm disorders (most often atrial fibrillation), cardiac complications including coronary event, stroke, acute delirium.

The Edge of Unknown: Postoperative Critical Care in Liver Transplantation

Perioperative care of patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT) is very complex. Metabolic derangements, hypothermia, coagulopathy and thromboses, severe infections, and graft dysfunction can affect outcomes. In this manuscript, we discuss several perioperative problems that can be encountered in LT recipients. The authors present the most up-to-date information regarding predicting and treating hemodynamic instability, coagulation monitoring and management, postoperative ventilation strategies and early extubation, management of infections, and ESLD-related pulmonary complications. In addition, early post-transplant allograft dysfunction will be discussed.

Perioperative Cardiac Risk Reduction in Noncardiac Surgery

Major adverse cardiovascular events are a significant source of morbidity and mortality in the perioperative setting, estimated to occur in approximately 5% of patients undergoing nonemergent noncardiac surgery. To minimize the incidence and impact of these events, careful attention must be paid to preoperative cardiovascular assessment to identify patients at high risk of cardiovascular complications. Once identified, cardiovascular risk reduction is achieved through optimization of medical conditions, appropriate management of medication, and careful monitoring to allow for early identification of-and intervention for-any new conditions that would increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The major cardiovascular and anesthesiology societies in the United States, Europe, and Canada have published guidelines for perioperative management of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. However, since publication of these guidelines, there has been a practice-changing evolution in the medical literature. In this review, we attempt to reconcile the recommendations made in these 3 comprehensive guidelines, while updating recommendations, based on new evidence, when available.

Predictive value of preoperative echocardiographic assessment for postoperative atrial fibrillation after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

BACKGROUND

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is not uncommon. The aim of this study is to examine whether preoperative transthoracic echocardiography is useful for predicting new-onset POAF in esophageal cancer.

METHODS

In this prospective observational study, we evaluated 200 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent esophagectomy at our hospital between January 2016 and July 2019. Conventional echocardiographic assessment and tissue Doppler imaging were performed before surgery. We investigated the utility of preoperative transthoracic echocardiography for predicting new-onset POAF in esophageal cancer.

RESULTS

New-onset POAF occurred in 51 (25.5%) of 200 patients. POAF was significantly associated with older age (p = 0.007), higher body mass index (p = 0.020), preoperative hypertensive disease (p = 0.021), and lower hemoglobin level (p = 0.028). The incidence of postoperative complications was significantly higher in patients with POAF than in patients without POAF (43.1% vs. 24.2%, p = 0.013). Transthoracic echocardiography showed that left atrial diameter (LAD) and E wave/e' wave ratio (E/e') were significantly higher in patients with POAF than in patients without POAF (34.1 vs. 31.3 mm, p < 0.001 and 11.6 vs. 10.5, p = 0.003, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that LAD ≥ 36.0 mm, E/e' ≥ 8.4 are independent risk factors for POAF (odds ratios 2.47 and 3.64; p values 0.035 and 0.027, respectively) CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative echocardiographic evaluation is useful for predicting the onset of POAF after esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Risk stratification using LAD and E/e' enables clinicians to identify patients at high risk for POAF before esophagectomy.

Long-term outcomes of postoperative atrial fibrillation following non cardiac surgery: A systematic review and metanalysis

BACKGROUND

New-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in non-cardiac postoperative setting is common and is associated with a high risk of in-hospital mortality and morbidity. The long-term risks of stroke, mortality and AF recurrence rate in patients with postoperative AF (POAF) are unclear.

METHODS

We performed a systematic literature review in electronic databases from inception to March 5th, 2020 of studies reporting the incidence of stroke, mortality and AF recurrence in patients with POAF. We confined our analysis to studies with a cohort of at least 150 patients with POAF and with a median follow-up of 12 months as a minimum. Odds Ratios (OR) were pooled using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Qualitative analysis included 8 studies (7 observational cohort studies and 1 randomized controlled trial) enrolling 3,718,587 patients. Six studies underwent metanalysis comprising 17,684 postoperative patients with POAF and 2,169,248 postoperative patients without POAF. The development of POAF conferred a four-fold increased risk of stroke in the long-term [OR 4.05; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.91-5.62]. Mortality in the two studies reporting long-term data was higher in patients with POAF compared to those without POAF (OR 3.59; CI 95% 2.84-4.53). Data about recurrence were too heterogeneous to undergo metanalysis.

CONCLUSIONS

POAF is associated with a greater risk of stroke and mortality over the long-term period. Studies focusing on AF recurrence are needed to address the perception of POAF as a benign transient entity. The increased mortality risk following POAF should encourage systematic detection and prevention of this arrhythmia.

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation Following Noncardiac Surgery Increases Risk of Stroke

BACKGROUND

New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation is well recognized to be an adverse prognostic marker in patients undergoing noncardiac surgery. Whether postoperative atrial fibrillation confers an increased risk of stroke remains unclear.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the risk of stroke after postoperative atrial fibrillation in noncardiac surgery. MEDLINE, Cochrane, and EMBASE databases were searched for articles published up to May 2019 for studies of patients undergoing noncardiac surgery that reported incidence of new atrial fibrillation and stroke. Event rates from individual studies were pooled and risk ratios (RR) were pooled using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Fourteen studies of 3,536,291 patients undergoing noncardiac surgery were included in the quantitative analysis (mean follow-up 1.4 ± 1 year). New atrial fibrillation occurred in 26,046 (0.74%), patients with a higher incidence following thoracic surgery. Stroke occurred in 279 (1.5%) and 6199 (0.4%) patients with and without postoperative atrial fibrillation, respectively. On pooled analysis, postoperative atrial fibrillation was associated with a significantly increased risk of stroke (RR 2.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.76-3.59), with moderate heterogeneity. The stroke risk was significantly higher with atrial fibrillation following nonthoracic, compared with thoracic, surgery (RR 3.09 vs RR 1.95; P = .01).

CONCLUSION

New postoperative atrial fibrillation following noncardiac surgery was associated with a 2.5-fold increase in the risk of stroke. This risk was highest among patients undergoing nonthoracic noncardiac surgery. Given the documented efficacy of newer anticoagulants, randomized controlled trials are warranted to assess whether they can reduce the risk of stroke in these patients.

Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events Associated With Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Noncardiac Surgery

Background:

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a frequent occurrence after noncardiac surgery. It remains unclear whether POAF is associated with an increased risk of major adverse events. We aimed to elucidate the risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and death associated with POAF following noncardiac surgery by a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies and observational studies.

Methods:

We searched electronic databases from inception up to August 1, 2019 for all studies that reported stroke or myocardial infarction in adult patients who developed POAF following noncardiac surgery. We used random-effects models to summarize the studies.

Results:

The final analyses included 28 studies enrolling 2 612 816 patients. At 1-month (10 studies), POAF was associated with an ≈3-fold increase in the risk of stroke (weighted mean 2.1% versus 0.7%; odds ratio [OR], 2.82 [95% CI, 2.15–3.70]; P <0.001). POAF was associated with ≈4-fold increase in the long-term risk of stroke with (weighted mean, 2.0% versus 0.6%; OR, 4.12 [95% CI, 3.32–5.11]; P ≤0.001) in 8 studies with ≥12-month follow-up. There was a significant overall increase in the risk of stroke and myocardial infarction associated with POAF (weighted mean, 2.5% versus 0.9%; OR, 3.44 [95% CI, 2.38–4.98]; P <0.001) and (weighted mean, 12.6% versus 2.7%; OR, 4.02 [95% CI, 3.08–5.24]; P <0.001), respectively. Furthermore, POAF was associated with a 3-fold increase in all-cause mortality at 30 days (weighted mean, 15.0% versus 5.4%; OR, 3.36 [95% CI, 2.13–5.31]; P <0.001).

Conclusions:

POAF was associated with markedly higher risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and all-cause mortality following noncardiac surgery. Future studies are needed to evaluate the impact of optimal cardiovascular pharmacotherapies to prevent POAF and to decrease the risk of major adverse events in these high-risk patients.

The role of the right atrium in development of postoperative atrial fibrillation: A speckle tracking echocardiography study

PURPOSE

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is relatively frequent in the postoperative period, and is associated with an increased frequency of adverse events. The role of right atrial (RA) volume and functions in the development of AF is unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of RA echocardiographic indices on AF development in the postoperative period.

METHOD

We enrolled 142 consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery, and assigned them into two groups depending on the occurrence or not of AF development in the postoperative period.

RESULTS

A propensity score matching analysis was performed to balance the groups, and 37 pairs were eventually included in the analysis. The median age was 67.5 (63-75) years and 73.3% of them were males. In the univariate analysis, right atrial volume index (RAVi), right atrial strain during reservoir phase (RASr), left ventricular global longitudinal strain, right ventricular strain, left atrial volume index, left atrial strain during reservoir phase, and systolic pulmonary artery pressure were associated with AF development. In the regression analysis, we found that RAVi (OR: 3.1, 95% CI: 2.2-6.3, P: .033) and RASr (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.67-0.93, P: .048) were independent predictors of AF development.

CONCLUSIONS

RA structure and functions are closely associated with AF development in the postoperative period, and screening of RA functions prior to surgery may be useful for preventing AF development.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation after cesarean delivery

Background and Aims

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia seen clinically. Due to the lack of literature and guidelines on maternal AF as a postoperative complication following cesarean delivery (CD), we undertook a study to characterize parturients who developed AF following CD and to evaluate arrhythmia management and outcomes in this patient population.

Methods

After receiving ethics committee approval, a retrospective chart review was performed to determine the incidence, possible risk factors, treatment, and outcome of women who developed AF following CD performed between 2003 and 2012 at New York Methodist Hospital in Brooklyn, New York.

Results

A total of 17,039 CDs were performed at New York Methodist Hospital from 2003 to 2012. Of these, seven parturients developed AF after CD. The incidence of AF following CD in this patient population was 1:2,434 (0.04%). The age range was 26-41 years, with a median of 33 years. All 7 parturients were at term or postterm. Two deliveries were elective and five were emergent. Two of the seven parturients had prior history of paroxysmal AF. One patient was identified as having mitral regurgitation. All seven had low levels of serum magnesium postoperatively. Out of the seven, two parturients had spontaneous conversion to normal sinus rhythm, one required electrical cardioversion and four required pharmacologic cardioversion.

Conclusions

Postoperative AF (POAF) exists as a rare complication in women who undergo CD with an incidence of 0.04% in our patient population. All parturients in our study were noted to have hypomagnesemia in the postoperative period. Occurrence of AF increased length of hospital stay and utilization of hospital resources.

The study protocol for PREDICT AF RECURRENCE: a PRospEctive cohort stuDy of surveIllanCe for perioperaTive Atrial Fibrillation RECURRENCE in major non-cardiac surgery for malignancy

Background

A previous retrospective cohort study established the relationship between perioperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) and subsequent mortality and stroke. However, the details regarding the cause of death and etiology of stroke remain unclear.

Methods

The prospective cohort study of surveillance for perioperative atrial fibrillation recurrence in major non-cardiac surgery for malignancy (PREDICT AF RECURRENCE) registry is an ongoing prospective cohort study to elucidate the long-term recurrence rate and the clinical impact of new-onset POAF in the setting of head and neck, non-cardiac thoracic, and abdominal surgery for malignancy. In this study, cardiologists collaborate with a surgical team during the perioperative period, carefully observe the electrocardiogram (ECG) monitor, and treat arrhythmia as required. Furthermore, patients who develop new-onset POAF are followed up using a long-term Holter ECG monitor, SPIDER FLASH-t AFib^®, to assess POAF recurrence.

Discussion

Even if patients with malignancy survive by overcoming the disease, they may die from any preventable cardiovascular diseases. In particular, those with POAF may develop cardiogenic stroke in the future. Because details of the natural history of patients with POAF remain unclear, investigating the need to continue anticoagulation therapy for such patients is necessary. This study will provide essential information on the recurrence rate of POAF and new insights into the prediction and treatment of POAF.

Trial registration

University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry (UMIN-CTR): UMIN000016146; Data of Registration: January 7, 2015.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12872-018-0862-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Impact and treatment success of new-onset atrial fibrillation with rapid ventricular rate development in the surgical intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

Atrial fibrillation (AF) with rapid ventricular rate (RVR; heart rate >100) in noncardiac postoperative surgical patients is associated with poor outcomes. The objective of this study was to evaluate the practice patterns of AF management in a surgical intensive care unit to determine practices associated with rate and rhythm control and additional outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Adult patients (≥18 y) admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) from June 2014 to June 2015 were retrospectively screened for the development of new-onset AF with RVR. Demographics, hospital course, evaluation and treatment of AF with RVR, and outcome were evaluated and analyzed.

RESULTS

Thousand seventy patients were admitted to the SICU during the study period; 33 met inclusion criteria (3.1%). Twenty-six patients (79%) had rate and rhythm control within 48 h of AF with RVR onset. β-Blockers were the most commonly used initial medication (67%) but were successful at rate and rhythm control in only 27% of patients (6/22). Amiodarone had the highest rate of success if used initially (5/6, 83%) and secondarily (11/13, 85%). Failure to control rate and rhythm was associated with a greater likelihood of comorbidities (100% versus 57%; P = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

New-onset AF with RVR in the noncardiac postoperative patient is associated with a high mortality (21%). Amiodarone is the most effective treatment for rate and rhythm control. Failure to establish rate and rhythm control was associated with cardiac comorbidities. These results will help to form future algorithms for the treatment of AF with RVR in the SICU.

Controversies in postoperative atrial fibrillation after noncardiothoracic surgery: clinical and research implications

Post operative atrial fibrillation after non-cardiothoracic surgery is an increasingly common problem. There is little high quality data to guide clinicians in risk prediction as well as short term and long term management. There appears to be a significant risk of recurrent atrial fibrillation and stroke but effective screening strategies have not been tested. In this commentary, we delineate various controversies in the management of post operative atrial fibrillation and briefly review the available evidence. Prospective studies in this clinically important area of cardiology should be encouraged.