Post-operative incidences of atrial fibrillation in on-pump versus off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract

Objectives: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias after coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG).Opinions divided regarding which of the two CABG techniques on-pump CABG or off-pump CABG has a lower incidence of post-operative AF. The aim of this study was to measure the incidence of post-operative AF in these techniques and its effect on the patients’ morbidity, mortality and hospital stay. Methods: We studied 60 consecutive medical records of patients that underwent on-pump and off-pump CABG .All our study patients underwent A 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) in the following situations: immediately after admission to the ward, after any event of arrhythmia either in the ward or in THE (ICU) and before discharge. We also used the regular monitor ECG cable for continuous, daily recording of patient rhythms. Results: (AF) occurred in two cases (6.25%) in the on-pump CABG group and in two cases (7.1%) in the off-pump CABG group ,(P=0.890). The mean length of hospital stay had been 6.4 days in the on-pump CABG group and 4.2 days in the off-pump CABG group (P value <0.001). No mortality occurred. Conclusion: The incidence of post-operative (AF) was the same between on-pump and off-pump CABG.