High Postoperative Interleukin‐8 Levels Related to Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently encountered postoperative arrhythmic complication after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). There is increasing evidence to support the influence of inflammation in the pathogenesis of AF. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relation of postoperative new AF and systemic inflammatory changes after CABG. A total of 113 CABG patients were recruited in the present study. Holter data from 24-hour electrocardiography were collected from 1 day before the operation to postoperative day 2 (POD2). AF was registered as positive if any AF event occurred. Serum cytokine, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were analyzed before and after surgery. The overall incidences of postoperative AF and sustained AF were 36.3% and 31.9%, respectively. Patients with postoperative AF had longer respiratory treatment, intensive care unit treatment, and inotropic medication periods. Similar concentrations of serum IL-6 were found after surgery in patients with and without AF. The concentrations of serum IL-8 was significantly higher at 2 hours and on POD1 and POD2 in patients with postoperative AF. The concentration of serum IL-10 was significantly higher on POD1 in patients with postoperative AF. Postoperative AF in CABG patients is associated with a more complicated postoperative outcome. Higher concentrations of serum IL-8 in CABG patients with postoperative AF suggested that an influence of inflammation in the pathogenesis postoperative AF after open heart surgery.