Postoperative atrial fibrillation: Sex-specific characteristics and effect on survival

A systematic review and meta-analysis of differences between men and women in short-term outcomes following coronary artery bypass graft surgery

We provide an update regarding the differences between men and women in short-term postoperative mortality after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and highlight the differences in postoperative risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and new onset atrial fibrillation. We included 23 studies, with a total of 3,971,267 patients (70.7% men, 29.3% women), and provided results for groups of unbalanced studies and propensity matched studies. For short-term mortality, the pooled odds ratio (OR) from unbalanced studies was 1.71 (with 95% CI 1.69-1.74, I2 = 0%, p = 0.7), and from propensity matched studies was 1.32 (95% CI 1.14-1.52, I2 = 76%, p < 0.01). For postoperative stroke, the pooled effects were OR = 1.50 (95% CI 1.35-1.66, I2 = 83%, p < 0.01) and OR = 1.31 (95% CI 1.02-1.67, I2 = 81%, p < 0.01). For myocardial infarction, the pooled effects were OR = 1.09 (95% CI = 0.78-1.53, I2 = 70%, p < 0.01) and OR = 1.03 (95% CI = 0.86-1.24, I2 = 43%, p = 0.18). For postoperative atrial fibrillation, the pooled effect from unbalanced studies was OR = 0.89 (95% CI = 0.82-0.96, I2 = 34%, p = 0.18). The short-term mortality risk after CABG is higher in women, compared to men. Women are at higher risk of postoperative stroke. There is no significant difference in the likelihood of postoperative myocardial infarction in women compared to men. Men are at higher risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation after CABG.

Sex, Atrial Fibrillation, and Long-Term Mortality After Cardiac Surgery

Importance

There are limited data on the association of sex with the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (poAF) and subsequent long-term mortality after cardiac surgery.

Objective

To evaluate whether the incidence of poAF and associated long-term mortality after cardiac surgery differ by sex.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This retrospective cohort study was conducted at 2 tertiary care centers in Massachusetts from January 1, 2002, until October 1, 2016, with follow-up until December 1, 2022. Adult (aged >20 years) women and men undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery, aortic valve surgery, mitral valve surgery, and combined procedures with cardiopulmonary bypass were examined using medical records. Patients who had data on poAF were included in data analyses.

Exposures

Sex and poAF.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcomes were the incidence of poAF and all-cause mortality. poAF was defined as any atrial fibrillation detected on electrocardiogram (EKG) during the index hospitalization in patients presenting for surgery in normal sinus rhythm. Data on poAF were obtained from EKG reports and supplemented by information from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database. All-cause mortality was assessed via hospital records. The hypotheses were formulated prior to data analysis.

Results

Among 21 568 patients with poAF data (mean [SD] age, 66.5 [12.4] years), 2694 of 6601 women (40.8%) and 5805 of 14 967 men (38.8%) developed poAF. In a multivariable logistic regression model, women had lower risk of poAF (odds ratio [OR], 0.85; 95% CI, 0.79-0.91; P < .001). During the follow-up study period, 1294 women (50.4%) and 2376 men (48.9%) in the poAF group as well as 1273 women (49.6%) and 2484 men (51.1%) in the non-poAF group died. Cox proportional hazards analysis found that the association between poAF and mortality was significantly moderated (ie, effect modified) by sex. Compared with same-sex individuals without poAF, men with poAF had a 17% higher mortality hazard (hazard ratio [HR], 1.17; 95% CI, 1.11-1.25; P < .001), and women with poAF had a 31% higher mortality hazard (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.21-1.42; P < .001).

Conclusions and Relevance

In this retrospective cohort study of 21 568 patients who underwent cardiac surgery, women were less likely to develop poAF than men when controlling for other relevant characteristics; however, women who did develop poAF had a higher risk of long-term mortality than men who developed poAF. This observed elevated risk calls for a tailored approach to perioperative care in women undergoing cardiac surgery.

Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery: A Review of Literature and Comparison of Different Treatment Modalities

Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia to occur after cardiac surgery, with an incidence of 10% to 50%. It is associated with postoperative complications including increased risk of stroke, prolonged hospital stays and increased costs. Despite new insights into the mechanisms of atrial fibrillation, no specific etiologic factor has been identified as the sole perpetrator of the arrhythmia. Current evidence suggests that the pathophysiology of atrial fibrillation in general, as well as after cardiac surgery, is multifactorial. Studies have also shown that new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery is associated with a higher risk of short-term and long-term mortality. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that prophylactic medical therapy decreases the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. Of note, the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation has not changed during the last decades despite the numerous preventive strategies and operative techniques proposed, although the perioperative and postoperative care of cardiac patients as such has improved.

Effect of preoperative vitamin D on postoperative atrial fibrillation incidence after coronary artery bypass grafting

BACKGROUND

Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is associated with adverse long-term cardiovascular events.

OBJECTIVES

This study investigated the effects of a high-dose vitamin D administered preoperatively on the postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) incidence in patients with vitamin D deficiency following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery.

METHODS

This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 246 CABG patients with vitamin D deficiency. All patients were randomly divided into intervention and control groups including 123 cases for each group. In the intervention group, from 3 days before surgery, they received a daily dose of 150,000 units of vitamin D orally (50,000 units of Vit D tablet three times a day) and the patients in the control group received placebo tablets before surgery. All patients in the intervention group were assessed continuously for the occurrence of POAF during the recovery period.

RESULTS

In terms of gender, age, and BMI there were no significant differences between intervention and control groups. Our findings showed that the use of vitamin D supplements did not cause a significant change in the duration of intubation and hospitalization. The ratio of POAF following CABG surgery in the control and treatment groups was 26% and 11.4%, respectively (odds ratio = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.18-0.72; P = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings revealed that high-dose vitamin D supplementation before CABG surgery significantly reduced the incidence of POAF. Further multicenter randomized trials with larger sample sizes are certainly warranted to confirm our results.

Diagnosis and Treatment of New-Onset Perioperative Atrial Fibrillation

This article reviews medical and surgical risk factors for developing atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common sustained dysrhythmia in the United States. Evidence for assessment and management of patients with AF, including AF newly identified in the preoperative clinic, immediately preoperatively, intraoperatively, and unstable AF, is presented. A stepwise approach to guide anesthetic decision-making in the assessment of newly identified preoperative AF is proposed. Anesthetic considerations, including the potential impacts of anesthetic and vasopressor selection, and current evidence related to rate control and rhythm control via pharmacologic or electrical cardioversion as well as anticoagulation strategies are discussed.

Differences in Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation Incidence and Outcomes After Cardiac Surgery According to Assessment Method and Definition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most frequent complication of cardiac surgery. Despite clinical and economic implications, ample variability in POAF assessment method and definition exist across studies. We performed a study-level meta-analysis to evaluate the influence of POAF assessment method and definition on its incidence and association with clinical outcomes.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A systematic literature search was conducted to identify studies comparing the outcomes of patients with and without POAF after cardiac surgery that also reported POAF assessment method. The primary outcome was POAF incidence. The secondary outcomes were in-hospital mortality, stroke, intensive care unit length of stay, and postoperative length of stay. Fifty-nine studies totaling 197 774 patients were included. POAF cumulative incidence was 26% (range: 7.3%-53.1%). There were no differences in POAF incidence among assessment methods (27%, [range: 7.3%-53.1%] for continuous telemetry, 27% [range: 7.9%-50%] for telemetry plus daily ECG, and 19% [range: 7.8%-42.4%] for daily ECG only; P>0.05 for all comparisons). No differences in in-hospital mortality, stroke, intensive care unit length of stay, and postoperative length of stay were found between assessment methods. No differences in POAF incidence or any other outcomes were found between POAF definitions. Continuous telemetry and telemetry plus daily ECG were associated with higher POAF incidence compared with daily ECG in studies including only patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

CONCLUSIONS

POAF incidence after cardiac surgery remains high, and detection rates are variable among studies. POAF incidence and its association with adverse outcomes are not influenced by the assessment method and definition used, except in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting.

Pericardial Inflammatory Mediators That Can Drive Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiac Surgery Patients

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common dysrhythmia that affects a significant number of patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Many studies aim to better understand this complex postsurgical complication by analysing circulating biomarkers in patients who develop POAF. More recently, the pericardial space was shown to contain inflammatory mediators that could trigger POAF. In this review we summarise recent studies that examine the immune mediators present in the pericardial space and their potential implications for the pathophysiology of POAF in cardiac surgery patients. Ongoing research in this area should better delineate the multifactorial etiology of POAF, where specific markers may be targeted to reduce the incidence of POAF and improve outcomes for this patient population.

Early and midterm outcomes after off pump coronary artery bypass surgery

Purpose

There has been debate whether off pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB) has results comparable to conventional on pump bypass surgery. This has led to the low uptake of OPCAB in the West. In India, OPCAB is the default mode of coronary revascularization. However, there is scarce data on mid-term outcomes of OPCAB in our patients. This study aims to evaluate both short and mid-term mortality and analyze factors associated with mortality.

Methods

This is a single center study of all consecutive patients undergoing isolated OPCAB from October 2014 to December 2019. Patient data was collected from hospital records and follow-up was from the hospital electronic medical records and telephone interviews. Mortality and factors contributing to survival were analyzed.

Results

Operative mortality was 2.3%. Mid-term mortality was 5.5%. Preoperative renal dysfunction, post-operative renal failure, use of the intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP), re-exploration for bleeding, postoperative stroke, ventilation > 24 h, and postoperative atrial fibrillation were associated with operative mortality. Factors associated with mid-term mortality were age > 62 years, postoperative renal failure, IABP usage, ventilation time > 24 h, and postoperative atrial fibrillation. The mean survival time was 2343.55 + / - 15.27 days and 6-year survival was 88.7%.

Conclusion

OPCAB can safely be performed with satisfactory short and mid-term outcomes. Further corroborative studies from different regions of the country or a multi-center study will help to establish the suitability of the technique in Indian patients.

High-Burden Premature Atrial Contractions Predict New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation After Surgical Septal Myectomy

Although increased premature atrial contractions (PACs) reportedly predict atrial fibrillation (AF) in both general and specific (e.g., patients with stroke) populations, early postoperative AF (POAF) risk in patients with increased PAC burden who require cardiac surgery remains unclear. We examined the correlation between different preoperative PAC burdens and POAF in patients with obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (OHCM) who underwent surgical treatment. We analyzed 304 consecutively admitted patients with OHCM without previous AF who underwent isolated septal myectomy between January 2015 and December 2018. All patients underwent preoperative 24-hour Holter electrocardiogram monitoring. PACs were present in 259 patients (85.20%) and absent in 45 patients (14.80%). According to the cut-off PAC number of 100 beats/24 hours, there were 211 patients (69.41%) with low-burden PACs and 48 patients (15.79%) with high-burden PACs. AF after septal myectomy occurred in 73 patients, which consisted of 3/45 in the non-PAC group (6.67%), 47/211 in the low-PAC-burden group (22.27%), and 23/48 in the high PAC burden group (47.92%). POAF incidence was higher in both low- and high-burden patients than in patients without PAC (p <0.01). Multivariate logistic regression analyses demonstrated that high-burden PACs (p = 0.02) and age (p <0.01) but not low-burden PACs (p = 0.22) independently predicted POAF in patients with OHCM. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for preoperative PACs was 0.72 (95% confidence interval 0.66 to 0.79, p <0.01, sensitivity: 68.49%, specificity: 69.26%). In conclusion, POAF incidence was significantly higher in patients with preoperative high-burden PACs and can predict POAF in patients with OHCM.

Atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

New-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac surgery is common, with rates up to 60%. POAF has been associated with early and late stroke, but its association with other cardiovascular outcomes is less known. The objective was to perform a meta-analysis of the studies reporting the association of POAF with perioperative and long-term outcomes in patients with cardiac surgery.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of studies that presented outcomes for cardiac surgery on the basis of the presence or absence of POAF. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were assessed; 57 studies (246,340 patients) were selected. Perioperative mortality was the primary outcome. Inverse variance method and random model were performed. Leave-one-out analysis, subgroup analyses, and metaregression were conducted.

RESULTS

POAF was associated with perioperative mortality (odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.58-2.33), perioperative stroke (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.90-2.49), perioperative myocardial infarction (OR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.06-1.54), perioperative acute renal failure (OR, 2.74; 95% CI, 2.42-3.11), hospital (standardized mean difference, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.53-1.07) and intensive care unit stay (standardized mean difference, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.24-0.86), long-term mortality (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 1.54; 95% CI, 1.40-1.69), long-term stroke (IRR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.21-1.46), and longstanding persistent atrial fibrillation (IRR, 4.73; 95% CI, 3.36-6.66).

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that POAF after cardiac surgery is associated with an increased occurrence of most short- and long-term cardiovascular adverse events. However, the causality of this association remains to be established.

Predicting New-Onset Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation Following Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Development and Validation of a Novel Nomogram

Objective

To select variables associated with new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) following isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and develop a nomogram for risk prediction in a Chinese population.

Methods

The study retrospectively enrolled 4854 consecutive patients undergoing isolated CABG from February 2018 to September 2019, they were divided into derivation cohort and validation cohort with a 3:1 ratio according to the order of operation date. In the derivation cohort, significant variables were selected by use of the multivariate logistic backward stepwise regression analysis and a nomogram model was built on the strength of the results. The model performance was assessed in terms of discrimination and calibration. Besides, we compared the discriminative ability for POAF of the nomogram with established prediction models (CHA2DS2-VASc and HATCH scores) in the two cohorts.

Results

POAF occurred in 1025 (28.2%) out of 3641 patients in the derivation cohort, and in 337 (27.8%) out of 1213 patients in the validation cohort. A nomogram, composed of eight prognostic variables, namely age, sex, heart rate, hypertension, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <50%, left atrial diameter (LAD) > 40mm, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) level, and on-pump surgery, was constructed from the derivation cohort. The nomogram had substantial discriminative ability in derivation and validation cohorts with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUCs) of 0.661 (95% confidence interval, 0.642–0.681) and 0.665 (95% confidence interval, 0.631–0.699), respectively, and showed well-fitted calibration curves. Compared with CHA2DS2-VASc, HATCH and POAF scores, respectively, the nomogram had superior discrimination performance.

Conclusion

We constructed a novel nomogram with improved accuracy for predicting the risk of POAF following isolated CABG, which might help clinicians predict individual probability of POAF and achieve effective prophylaxis.

A double-blind randomised controlled trial on the effect of Tocovid, a tocotrienol-rich capsule on postoperative atrial fibrillation at the National Heart Institute, Kuala Lumpur: an interim blinded analysis

INTRODUCTION

Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is associated with poorer outcomes, increased resource utilisation, morbidity and mortality. Its pathogenesis is initiated by systemic inflammation and oxidative stress. It is hypothesised that a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent such as tocotrienol, an isomer of Vitamin E, could reduce or prevent POAF.

AIMS

The aim of this study is to determine whether a potent antioxidative and anti-inflammatory agent, Tocovid, a tocotrienol-rich capsule, could reduce the incidence of POAF and affect the mortality and morbidity as well as the duration of ICU, HDU and hospital stay.

METHODS

This study was planned as a prospective, randomised, controlled trial with parallel groups. The control group received placebo containing palm superolein while the treatment group received Tocovid capsules. We investigated the incidence of POAF, the length of hospital stay after surgery and the health-related quality of life.

RESULTS

Recruitment commenced in January 2019 but the preliminary results were unblinded as the study is still ongoing. Two-hundred and two patients have been recruited out of a target sample size of 250 as of January 2021. About 75% have completed the study and 6.4% were either lost during follow-up or withdrew; 4% of participants died. The mean age group was 61.44 ± 7.30 years with no statistical difference between the groups, with males having a preponderance for AF. The incidence of POAF was 24.36% and the mean time for developing POAF was 55.38 ± 29.9 h post-CABG. Obesity was not a predictive factor. No statistically significant difference was observed when comparing left atrial size, NYHA class, ejection fraction and the premorbid history. The mean cross-clamp time was 71 ± 34 min and the mean bypass time was 95 ± 46 min, with no difference between groups. There was a threefold increase in death among patients with POAF (p = 0.008) and an increase in the duration of ICU stay (p = 0.01), the total duration of hospital stay (p = 0.04) and reintubation (p = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

A relatively low incidence rate of POAF was noted although the study is still ongoing. It remains to be seen if our prophylactic intervention using Tocovid would effectively reduce the incidence of POAF. Clinical Registration Number: US National Library of Medicine. Clinical Trials - NCT03807037. Registered on 16th January 2019. Link: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03807037.

Mechanism of IL-6-related spontaneous atrial fibrillation after coronary artery grafting surgery: IL-6 knockout mouse study and human observation

Clinical observation and ex vivo studies have established a strong association between inflammation and postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). However, it is unclear whether the inflammatory phenotype is causally linked to this event or is an epiphenomenon, and it is not known which inflammatory meditators may increase susceptibility to POAF. The limitations of available animal models of spontaneous POAF (sPOAF) makes it difficult to select an experimental system. Here, we provide experimental and clinical evidence for mechanistic involvement of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in sPOAF.

PHASE I

We established a mouse model of cardiac surgery with nonpaced sPOAF. IL-6 knockout mice were protected from sPOAF compared with wild-type mice.

PHASE II

At 48 hours after surgery, the heart was separated into 6 regions and cultured. IL-6 was expressed in all regions, with highest abundance in the left atrium (LA). In PHASE III, we demonstrated that IL-6 in the LA elicited early profibrotic properties in atria via the pSTAT3/STAT3 signaling pathway and contributed to sPOAF.

PHASE IV

In a translational prospective clinical study, we demonstrated that humans with POAF had a higher IL-6 concentration in pericardial drainage (PD). This study provides preliminary evidence of a causal relationship between IL-6 and POAF in a novel nonpaced sPOAF mouse model. IL-6 is a crucial prerequisite for eliciting profibrotic properties in cardiac myocytes via the pSTAT3 pathway during the early postoperative period, leading to an increased susceptibility to POAF. Measuring IL-6 in PD could be a new noninvasive biomarker for the clinical prediction of POAF.

The preoperative glomerular filtration rate predicts new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy who undergo isolated septal myectomy

Background

Few studies have focused on new-onset postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy who have undergone septal myectomy. Therefore, we investigated the incidence and prognosis effects of postoperative atrial fibrillation following septal myectomy in patients with hypertensive obstructive cardiomyopathy. Additionally, we investigated the relationship of estimated glomerular filtration rate and postoperative atrial fibrillation.

Methods

Data from 300 patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy who underwent isolated surgical septal myectomy were collected from January 2012 to March 2018.

Results

The overall incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation during hospitalization was 22.67% (68 of 300 patients). Patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation were older (P<0.001), had lower preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (P<0.001), and a larger preoperative left atrial diameter (P=0.038) compared to patients without. The preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate predicted postoperative atrial fibrillation with sensitivity and specificity of 0.824 and 0.578 (P<0.001), respectively. Multivariate regression analyses showed that age [odds ratio (OR) =1.090, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.034-1.110], an New York Heart Association functional class ≥ III (OR =2.985, 95% CI: 1.349-6.604), hypertension (OR =2.212, 95% CI: 1.062-4.608), a history of syncope (OR =3.890, 95% CI: 1.741-8.692), and the preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (OR =0.981, 95% CI: 0.965-0.996) were independent risk factors associated in the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation. Survival analysis showed that the incidence of long-term cardiovascular events was higher in the patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation than that in the patients without the condition (P<0.001).

Conclusions

The preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate was a moderate predictor of postoperative atrial fibrillation after septal myectomy. Postoperative atrial fibrillation affected the early recovery and the long-term prognoses of patients with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy who underwent septal myectomy.

Preoperative left atrial strain abnormalities are associated with the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation following isolated coronary artery bypass surgery

OBJECTIVE

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Currently, there is no reliable way to determine preoperatively which patients will develop POAF following CABG. The aim of this study was to determine whether preoperative left atrial (LA) strain analysis might identify patients destined to develop POAF following CABG.

METHODS

From 2016 to 2018, 211 patients who had a preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction >50% and adequate preoperative, predischarge, and follow-up echo images for interpretation underwent isolated CABG surgery. Postoperatively, patients had continuous rhythm monitoring until hospital discharge. Retrospective speckle-tracking analysis of preoperative echocardiograms was performed to calculate preoperative left ventricular global longitudinal strain and LA compliance and contraction strains in 92 matched patients. Multivariate logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the predictors of POAF after CABG.

RESULTS

POAF occurred in 50 patients (24%). They were older, had longer intensive care unit and hospital stays, and a slightly greater 30-day mortality (P = .07). Preoperative LA volume index was larger in the patients with POAF but still "normal" as defined by current guidelines. However, preoperative LA compliance and contraction strains were significantly lower in patients who developed POAF after CABG.

CONCLUSIONS

Decreased preoperative LA strain measurements, especially LA-fractional area change, LA-emptying fraction, and LA-reservoir strain, taken jointly, are more specific and sensitive than other preoperative parameters in identifying patients who will develop POAF following CABG. The ability to identify patients preoperatively who are destined to develop POAF following CABG provides a basis for limiting POAF prophylactic therapy to only those patients undergoing CABG who are most likely to benefit from it rather than to all patients undergoing CABG.

New-onset atrial fibrillation and outcomes following isolated coronary artery bypass surgery: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Prior meta‐analyses have shown that new‐onset atrial fibrillation (NOAF) occurs in up to 40% of patients following cardiac surgery and is associated with substantial major adverse cardiovascular events. The stroke and mortality implications of NOAF in isolated CABG without concomitant valve surgery is not known. We thought that NOAF would be associated with increased risk of stroke and mortality, even in patients undergoing isolated CABG. A blinded review of studies from MEDLINE, CENTRAL, and Web of Science was done by two independent investigators. Stroke, 30‐day/hospital mortality, long‐term cardiovascular mortality, and long‐term (>1 year) all‐cause mortality were analyzed. We used Review Manager Version 5.3 to perform pooled analysis of outcomes. Of 4461 studies identified, 19 studies (n = 129 628) met inclusion criteria. NOAF incidence ranged from 15% to 36%. NOAF was associated with increased risk of stroke (unadjusted OR 2.15 [1.82, 2.53] [P < .00001]; adjusted OR 1.88 [1.02, 3.46] [P = .04]). NOAF was associated with increased 30‐day/hospital mortality (OR 2.35 [1.67, 3.32] [P < .00001]) and long‐term cardiovascular mortality (OR 2.04 [1.35, 3.09] [P = .0007]) NOAF was associated with increased long‐term all‐cause mortality (unadjusted OR 1.79 [1.63, 1.96] [P < .00001]; adjusted OR 1.58 [1.24, 2.00] [P = .0002]). We found that the incidence of NOAF following isolated CABG is high and is associated with increased stroke rate and mortality. Early recognition and management of NOAF could improve outcomes.

Atrial fibrillation among Russian men and women aged 55 years and older: prevalence, mortality, and associations with biomarkers in a population-based study

Objective

To examine the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), its impacts on cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality, and the associations between AF and inflammatory and serum biomarkers in a population-based sample of Muscovites.

Methods

The study is a secondary analysis of data from the Stress, Aging and Health in Russia (SAHR) survey that includes information on 1800 individuals with an average age of 68.5 years at baseline, and on their subsequent mortality during 7.4 years on average. AF is detected by 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) and 24-hour Holter monitoring. The statistical analysis includes proportional hazard and logistic regression models.

Results

Of the 1732 participants with relevant Holter data, AF was detected in 100 (74 by ECG and Holter, 26 by Holter only). The prevalence of AF was 5.8% for men and 7.4% for women. The fully adjusted model showed strongly elevated hazard of CVD and all-cause mortality in men and women with long non-self-limiting AF (LAF). LAF was found to be negatively associated with elevated total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and to be positively associated with elevated markers of inflammation in women.

Conclusions

The study assessed for the first time the prevalence and the risks of death related to AF among older Russians. LAF was shown to be a strong and independent predictor of CVD and all-cause mortality. AF is unlikely to contribute to the large excess male mortality in Russia. The finding that one-quarter of AF cases were detected only by Holter monitoring demonstrates the usefulness of diagnostics with prolonged ECG registration.