Atrial fibrillation and coronary artery disease:An integrative review focusing on therapeutic implications of this relationship

The incidence of both atrial fibrillation(AF)and coronary artery disease(CAD)increases with advancing age.They share common risk factors and very often coexist.Evidence points to an intricate relationship between atrial tissue excitability and neuronal remodeling with ischemia at the microcirculatory level.In this review,we delineated this complex relationship,identified a common theme between the two,and discussed how the knowledge of this relationship translates into a positive and meaningful impact in patient management.Recent research indicates a high prevalence of CAD among AF patients undergoing coronary angiography.Further,the incidence of AF is much higher in those suffering from CAD compared to age-matched adults without CAD underlying this reciprocal relationship.CAD adversely affects AF by promoting progression via re-entry and increasing excitability of atrial tissue as a result of ischemia and electrical inhomogeneity.AF in turn accelerates atherosclerosis via endothelial dysfunctional and inflammation and together with enhanced thrombogenicity and hypercoagulability contribute to micro and macrothrombi throughout cardiovascular system.In a nutshell,the two form a vicious cycle wherein one disease promotes the other.Most AF recommendations focuses on rate/rhythm control and prevention of thromboembolism.Very few studies have discussed the importance of unmasking coexistent CAD and how the treatment of underlying ischemia will impact the burden of AF in these patients.Inflammation and endothelial dysfunction remain central to both disease processes and form a handsome therapeutic target in the management of the two diseases.The relationship between AF and CAD is complex and much more than mere coincidence.The two diseases share common risk factor and pathophysiology.Hence,it is impractical to treat them in isolation.Accordingly,we share the implications of managing underlying ischemia and inflammation to positively impact and improve quality of life among AF patients.

Clinical profile and angiographic findings among patients with atrial fibrillation presenting for selective coronary angiography

Background: Coronary artery disease is the most common form of cardiovascular disease while Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia. We set out to investigate the prevalence and clinical profile of patients with atrial fibrillation who present for selective coronary angiography and whether this has an effect on the angiogram findings and the treatment options offered to them. Methods and Results: This was a retrospectively collected database of 494 patients presenting for SCAG from 01.11.2010 to 30.11.2010 and 01.04.2010 to 30.04.2010. We collected and analyzed clinical characteristics of patients, their SCAG finding and modes of treatment offered up to discharge. 24.6% of patients had AF. They tended to be older, more commonly women, current or ex-smokers;presented with symptoms of atypical chest pain and were more likely to have a history of congestive heart failure or valvular heart disease. They had a longer hospital stay. Using CHADS-Vasc score, 83.6% were moderate to high risk for CVA. At SCAG, they were more likely to have non-significant coronary artery disease, and hence were more likely to be treated conservatively. Conclusion: AF patients presenting for SCAG constitute a unique subset of patients who despite having a higher likelihood of non-significant coronary stenosis are still prone to suffering from poorly-understood and under-appreciated myocardial ischemia.

Using Magnesium Sulfate to Prevent Atrial Fibrillation after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery: A Single Centre Experience in Bangladesh

Background: Atrial fibrillation commonly occurs following cardiac surgery, particularly after coronary artery bypass grafting. Magnesium, known for its stabilizing effect on cell membranes, has shown promise in preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation. This study aimed to assess the impact of intravenous magnesium infusion in preventing atrial fibrillation after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting, where maintaining stable cell membranes is crucial in averting this complication. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Department of Cardiac Surgery, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, from March 2020 to February 2022. Sixty-six patients who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting were enrolled and divided into two groups. Group A (n = 33) received intravenous magnesium sulfate (10 mmol/2.47gm) for three days after surgery, while Group B (n = 33) did not receive magnesium sulfate. Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurrence in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) within three days after surgery was evaluated using convenient sampling. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 26.0, utilizing independent Student’s t-test for continuous data and Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test for categorical data. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: No significant differences in age or gender were observed between the two groups. Group B exhibited significantly lower magnesium levels than Group A on the 0th, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days post-surgery. Additionally, Group B experienced a higher incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation, longer ICU stays, and two mortalities. The study did not detect any adverse effects associated with magnesium infusion. Conclusion: It has been demonstrated that administering magnesium intravenously after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting can lower the chances of developing atrial fibrillation. This demonstrates the potential advantages of using magnesium as a preventative measure for postoperative atrial fibrillation in such cases.

128-slice Dual-source Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation: Image Quality and Radiation Dose of Prospectively Electrocardiogram-triggered Sequential Scan Compared with Retrospectively Electrocardiogram-gated Spiral

Objective To evaluate the image quality （IQ） and radiation dose of 128-slice dual-source computed tomography （DSCT） coronary angiography using prospectively electrocardiogram （ECG）-triggered sequen- tial scan mode compared with ECG-gated spiral scan mode in a population with atrial fibrillation. Methods Thirty-two patients with suspected coronary artery disease and permanent atrial fibrilla- tion referred for a second-generation 128-slice DSCT coronary angiography were included in the prospec- tive study. Of them, 17 patients （sequential group） were randomly selected to use a prospectively ECG.~triggered sequential scan, while the other 15 patients （spiral group） used a retrospectively ECG-gated spiral scan. The IQ was assessed by two readers independently, using a four-point grading scale from excel- lent （grade 1） to non-assessable （grade 4）, based on the American Heart Association 15-segment model. IQ of each segment and effective dose of each natient were comDared between the two groups. Results The mean heart rate （HR） of the sequential group was 96±27 beats per minute （bpm） with a variation range of 73±25 bpm, while the mean HR of the spiral group was 86±22 bpm with a variationrange of 65±24 bpm. Both of the mean FIR （t= 1.91, P=0.243） and HR variation range （t=0.950, P=0.350） had no significant difference between the two groups. In per-segment analysis, IQ of the sequential group vs. spiral group was rated as excellent （grade 1） in 190/244 （78%） vs. 177/217 （82%） by readerl and 197/245 （80%） vs. 174/214 （81%） by reader2, as non-assessable （grade 4） in 4/244 （2%） vs. 2/217 （1%） by readerl and 6/245 （2%） vs. 4/214 （2%） by reader2. Overall averaged IQ per-patient in the sequential and spiral group showed equally good （1.27＋0.19 vs. 1.25＋0.22, Z=-0.834, P=0.404）. The effective radiation dose of the sequential group reduced significantly compared with the spiral group （4.88±1.77 mSv vs. 10.20±3.64 mSv; t=-5.372, P=0.000）. Conclusion Compared with retrospectively ECG-gated spiral scan, prospectively ECG-triggered sequential DSCT coronary angiography provides similarly diagnostically valuable images in patients with atrial fibrillation and significantly reduces radiation dose.

Is dual therapy the correct strategy in frail elderly patients with atrial fibrillation and acute coronary syndrome?

Atrial fibrillation(AF)is a very common arrhythmia in clinical practice.Its incidence and prevalence are age-related and are growing in the last years.Age is a risk factor also for coronary artery disease(CAD),and with the evolution of preventive care,the first event(acute coronary syndrome(ACS)or percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI))takes place at a later age.If elderly patients with AF and CAD undergo ACS or PCI,they have indication to assume triple therapy.Triple therapy(oral anticoagulation(OAC)plus dual antiplatelet therapy(DAPT))exposes patients to high bleeding risk.In the last 10 years,several clinical trials have tested dual therapy(OAC plus single antiplatelet therapy)in AF patients who undergo ACS or elective PCI.WOEST trial has tested warfarin+clopidogrel against triple therapy.PIONEER AF-PCI trial has tested low-dose rivaroxaban+P2Y12 inhibitor or very low-dose rivaroxaban+DAPT against standard triple therapy with warfarin.RE-DUAL PCI trial has tested two doses of dabigatran+P2Y12 inhibitor against standard triple therapy with Warfarin.AUGUSTUS trial has tested apixaban against warfarin both in dual therapy with P2Y12 inhibitor and in triple therapy with a P2Y12 inhibitor and aspirin.ENTRUST-AF PCI,last published study,has tested edoxaban+P2Y12 inhibitor against triple therapy.All these trials show dual therapy reduces significantly bleeding risk than triple therapy.In this paper,we analyze these clinical trials to understand if dual therapy results can be applied to elderly patients and what is probably the better approach in elderly AF patients undergo to ACS or PCI.

Predictors of new-onset atrial fibrillation in elderly patients with coronary artery disease after coronary artery bypass graft

Objective To identify the factors associated with the development of postoperative atrial fibrillation （POAF） after coronary artery bypass graft （CABG） in elderly patients with coronary artery disease （CAD）. Methods A total of 81 patients with CAD who underwent CABG were enrolled in the study. Patients were divided into two groups： Group 1, without postoperative atrial fibrillation （59 patients, 74.6% men, mean age 65.8 ~ 4.0 years）; Group 2, with early new-onset atrial fibrillation after CABG （22 patients, 90.9% men, mean age 67.7 ＋ 5.4 years）. Interleukin （IL）-6, IL-8, IL-10, C-reactive protein （CRP）, fibrinogen, superoxide dismutase （SOD）, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP）, and troponin I were studied. Results During the observation period, atrial fibrillation occurred in 27.2% cases, an average of 4.9 ±3.8 days after surgery. In group 2, the left atrium （LA） dimension was larger than in group 1 （43.9 ± 3.4 mm vs. 37.6 ±3.9 rnm, P 〈 0.001）. Patients with POAF had significantly higher IL-6 （72.7 ±60.8 pg/mL vs. 38.0 ± 34.6 pg/mL, P = 0.04）, IL-8 （11.9 ± 6.0 pg/mL vs. 7.7± 5.4 pg/mL, P = 0.01） and SOD （2462.0 ± 2029.3 units/g vs. 1515.0 ± 1292.9 units/g, P = 0.04） compared with group without POAF. The multivariate analysis showed that the odds ratio （OR） for POAF development in patients with left atrium more than 39 mm was 2.1 [95% confidence interval （CI）： 1.2-3.8, P = 0.0004], IL-6 levels more than 65.18 pg/mL-1.4 （95% Ch 1.1-2.7, P = 0.009）, IL-8 levels more than 9.67 pg/mL-1.2 （95% CI： 1.1-3.7, P ： 0.009）, SOD more than 2948 units/g-1.1 （95% Ch 1.01-2.9, P = 0.04）. Conclusions In our study, the independent predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation after CABG in elderly patients were left atrium dimension and the increased postoperative concentration of IL-6, IL-8 and superoxide dismutase.

Prognostic impact of atrial fibrillation on clinical outcomes of acute coronary syndromes,heart failure and chronic kidney disease

Atrial fibrillation(AF) is the most common type of sustained arrhythmia,which is now on course to reach epidemic proportions in the elderly population. AF is a commonly encountered comorbidity in patients with cardiac and major non-cardiac diseases. Morbidity and mortality associated with AF makes it a major healthcare burden. The objective of our article is to determine the prognostic impact of AF on acute coronary syndromes,heart failure and chronic kidney disease. Multiple studies have been conducted to determine if AF has an independent role in the overall mortality of such patients. Our review suggests that AF has an independent adverse prognostic impact on the clinical outcomes of acute coronary syndromes,heart failure and chronic kidney disease.

Predictors of post coronary artery bypass grafting atrial fibrillation

Objective： To investigate the incidence and relative risk factors of post coronary artery bypass grafting（post-CABG） atrial fibrillation （AF）. Methods： 312 patients with CABG were reviewed and divided into an AF group and a non-AF group. Statistical analysis was used to compare the data between the two groups and screen for risk factors of post-CABG AF. Results： 103/312 （33.01%） patients developed post-CABG AF. Univariate analysis showed that patients in AF group compared with those in non-AF group were more likely to have advanced age （≥ 70 years）, early postoperative withdrawal of β-blockers, hypertension, left atrial enlargement （≥40 mm）, a history of AF, prolonged p-wave duration （≥ 120 ms） and increased number of grafts （≥13）. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age （≥70 years）, early postoperative withdrawal of β-blockers, hypertension, left atrial enlargement （≥40 mm） and a history of AF were highly related to post-CABG AF. Conclusion： The incidence of AF in patients following CABG was 33.01% in this study. Advanced age, early postoperative withdrawal of 13-blockers, hypertension, left atrial enlargement and a history of AF were independent risk factors of post-CABG AF.

Clinical characteristics and one year outcomes in Chinese atrial fibrillation patients with stable coronary artery disease： a population-based study

Background Atrial fibrillation （AF） and coronary artery disease （CAD） often coexist, however, the clinical characteristics and the impact of stable CAD on the outcomes in Chinese patients with AF has not been well understood. Methods Consecutive AF patients in 20 hospitals in China from November 2008 to October 2011 were enrolled. The primary endpoints included 1-year all-cause mortality, stroke, non-central nervous system （non-CNS） embolism, and major bleeding. Results A total of 1947 AF patients were analyzed, of whom 40.5% had stable CAD. The mean CHADS2 scores in CAD patients were significantly higher than that of non-CAD patients （2.4 - 1.4 vs. 1.4 - 1.2, P 〈 0.001）. During follow-up period, warfarin use is low in both groups, with relatively higher proportion in non-CAD patients compared with CAD patients （22.3% vs. 10.7%, P 〈 0.001）. Compared with non-CAD patients, CAD patients had higher one-year all-cause mortality （16.8% vs. 12.9%, P = 0.017） and incidence of stroke （9.0% vs. 6.4%, P = 0.030）, while the non-CNS embolism and major bleeding rates were comparable between the two groups. After multivariate adjustment, stable CAD was independently associated with increased risk of 1-year all-cause mortality （HR = 1.35, 95% CI： 1.01-1 .80, P = 0.040）, but not associated with stroke （HR = 1.07, 95% CI： 0.72-1.58, P = 0.736）. Conclusions Stable CAD was prevalent in Chinese AF patients and was independently associated with increased risk of 1-year all-cause mortality. Chinese AF patients with stable CAD received inadequate antithrombotic therapy and this grim status of antithrombotic therapy needed to be improved urgently.

Preoperative P-wave duration as a predictor of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting: A prospective cohort study with meta-analysis

Objectives:Reported prediction rules for postoperative atrial fibrillation(AF)have suffered from inconsistent results and controversy surrounding the predictive value of a preoperative P-wave duration(PreOPWD).This study examined PreOPWD as a predictor for AF after coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG).Methods:Two-hundred-and-ninety-nine patients with sinus rhythm before off-pump CABG were recruited into the study.Patients'demographic and clinical data were evaluated prospectively.Patients were continuously monitored for the first seven postoperative days.Multiple logistic regressionwas used to determine significant predictors of AF.Findings were then combined with similar studies and a metaanalysis was performed.Results:Postoperative AF was observed in 33.1%of 299 patients.Patients with AF were older,had a prolonged PreOPWD,higher incidences of hypertension,aortic regurgitation,and mitral regurgitation.A cut-off point of PreOPWD
105ms achieved a specificity of 74%,and a sensitivity of 65%for predictive of AF.Multivariate analysis showed that PreOPWD
105ms(odds ratio[OR]4.63,95%confidence intervals[CI]2.66 to 8.03,P<0.001),age
60 years(OR 2.72,95%CI 1.51 to 4.90,P<0.01)and hypertension(OR 2.10,95%CI 1.08 to 4.07,P<0.05)independently predicted postoperative AF.A meta-analysis of this data combined with those of ten other studies showed that PreOPWD was greater in patients with POAF,with a weighted mean difference of 3.95 ms(95%CI 1.97 to 5.92,P<0.001).Conclusion:This study confirmed,among other predictive characteristics,that PreOPWD is a powerful independent predictor of POAF.

Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation after Off-pump versus On-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting:A Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials and Propensity Score Matching Trials

The association between atrial fibrillation（AF） after coronary artery bypass grafting（CABG） and the surgical techniques selected has been extensively reported. However, no consistent results were obtained. In the present study, a meta-analysis was conducted by searching the electronic databases Pub Med, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane to identify the association of post-CABG AF with on-pump（conventional CABG, c CABG） or off-pump CABG（OPCABG）. Outcomes from randomized clinical trials（RCTs） and propensity score matching（PSM） trials were pooled by using the fixed-effect or the random-effect modeling method, and verified by the quality-effect modeling method. There were 35 studies with 36 independent reports that met the inclusion criteria and were eventually included in our meta-analysis. The total odds ratio（OR） of the incidence of post-CABG AF between OPCABG and c CABG was 0.80（95% CI 0.71–0.91）. The 25 randomized clinical trials（RCTs） had an OR of 0.69（95% CI 0.56–0.86）, while the OR of the 11 PSM trials was 0.88（95% CI 0.77–1.00）. Twenty-six studies involving the patients at a mean age no more than 65 years showed an OR of 0.76（95% CI 0.64–0.90）, whereas 10 studies with patients greater than 65 years old showed an OR of 0.90（95% CI 0.78–1.05）. The results of this meta-analysis suggest that OPCAB surgery may reduce the incidence of post-CABG AF when compared to c CABG and that younger patients may benefit more from OPCAB and have a lower incidence of post-CABG AF.

Predictors of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft： a meta-analysis

Objectives Postoperative atrial fibrillation （AF） has been associated with less favorable outcomes in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass graft surgery （CABG） and may result in increased post-operative morbidity and mortality. A systematic review and meta-analysis of published studies was conducted to examine the risk factors of occurrence AF after CABG. Methods Using the Medline database, the Cochrane clinical trials database and online clinical trial databases, we reviewed all randomized controlled trials （RCTs） and observational studies examining the risk factors of occurrence of AF after CABG. We searched for literature published April 2009 or earlier. Results Our review identified 8 studies （observational studies）, involving 14548 patients, that examined the risk factors of occurrence of AF after CABG. Although studies provide conflicting results, the overall outcomes suggests that advanced age, previous hypertension, numbers of bridge vessels may increase the occurrence of AF after CABG, while no significant difference of diabetes, preoperative myocardial infarction, and preoperative medication of 13 -Blocker have been observed between the AF patients and no-AF patiens. Conclusions Patients with advanced age, previous hypertension and more numbers of bridge vessels had higher risk for the occurrence of AF after CABG, and perioperative medication and care must be intensified to decrease the postoperative occurrence ofAF（J Geriatr Cardio12009; 6：162-167）.

Role of the Seasonal Cycle in Atrial Fibrillation Seen after Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Background: We aimed to investigate the effect of seasons on atrial fibrillation that occurred after coronary bypass surgery operation. Method: 187 patients underwent coronary artery bypass operation in our clinic between July 2018 - July 2019. Isolated coronary artery bypass graft operation was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass to179 of these patients. Forty three patients that developed atrial fibrillation after coronary bypass operation, demographic, laboratory findings and date of atrial fibrillation data investigated retrospectively. Results: Forty three patients developed atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery. Forty one patients operated in winter, 48 in spring, 47 in summer, 43 in autumn and 13 patients developed atrial fibrillation in winter, 11 (25.6%) in spring, 8 (20.9%) in summer and 11 (23.3%) in autumn respectively. There is no statistical significance found by Z test that performed for all seasons for atrial fibrillation. Conclusion: There are many reasons that could play role on developing atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery. There are many publications that report vitamin D deficiency as a reason for developing atrial fibrillation after coronary bypass surgery. In our study, we did not evaluate a relationship between the development of post operative atrial fibrillation and seasons.

Amiodarone Prophylaxis for Atrial Fibrillation after Coronary Bypass—12 Years Follow-Up

Objectives: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication after cardiac surgery and might be avoided with amiodarone prophylaxis. We investigated the long-term effect of prophylactic amiodarone, in patients undergoing isolated, elective coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), as well as the long-term prognosis of patients with POAF. Methods: We retrospectively analysed patients included in the randomized, control trial RASCABG allocated to either placebo or amiodarone as POAF prophylaxis. Several outcomes were evaluated using national databases. Patients were stratified and compared by prophylactic groups and rhythm. Cox proportional hazard analysis was used for multivariable analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed to assess the probability of survival and cumulative incidence curves. Results: Prophylactic amiodarone was not related to long-term side effects in comparison to placebo. Patients who developed POAF, were more likely to develop late AF, and had a worse overall survival. There was no difference in the overall survival between prophylactic groups. In the competing risk analysis, amiodarone and POAF was not associated with an increased risk of readmission, but POAF was associated with an increased risk of late AF HR 2.28 [95% CI 1.15;4.55]. In the multivariable analysis, amiodarone was not associated with late AF, readmission or long-term mortality. Further, no association was found between POAF and late AF, readmission or long-term mortality. Conclusion: Amiodarone is a safe drug for the prevention of POAF in the RASCABG-setting. POAF is related to long-term worse prognosis regarding late AF and mortality.

Association of Atrial Fibrillation and Amino-terminal Pro-brain Natriuretic Peptide Concentrations in Patients After Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Objectives To investigate the possible role of amino-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide （NT-proBNP） in the occurrence of atrial fibrillation （AF） after coronary artery bypass grafting （CABG）. Methods This study group included 70 consecutive patients scheduled for elective off-pump CABG. The patients with ejection fraction （EF） less than 0. 30, history of AF, use of class Ⅰ or Ⅲ antiarrhythmic drug, implanted pacemaker, postoperative myocardial infarction or chest reopening for pericardial tamponade were excluded. Preoperative and postoperative serum NT-proBNP levels were measured by radioimmunoassay technique. Results Postoperative AF occurred in 15 patients （21.4%）; these patients had significantly higher median NT-proBNP levels when compared with those without AF after the operation （ P 〈 0. 01 ）. Using multivariate logistic regression analyses, an increase in NT-proBNP level after CABG was found to be independently associated with AF （ OR = 3.78, 95% IC = 1.81 - 4. 89, P 〈 0. 01 ）. Increased age, diabetes mellitus, preoperative use of β-blocker, proximal right coronary artery involvement, and longer operation time were al- so associated with AF. Conclusions These results indicated that AF was associated with higher NT-proBNP concentrations after off pump CABG; the increase in NT-proBNP after CABG may play an important role in the occurrence of AF after the operation. The further studies are needed to define the reason that lead to higher NT-proBNP concentrations among the patients who present AF after off pump CABG.

High Sensitivity CRP Predicts Long-Term Mortality in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Evident Acute Coronary Syndrome

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent arrhythmia associated with an adverse prognostic value in patients with ACS. Risk stratification as well as diagnosis of ACS is strongly supported by biomarkers. High sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) is known to be elevated in patients presenting with ACS as well as with AF.Methods: In total, 2034 consecutive patients with an ACS were analysed. The incidence of AF in the setting of ACS, the prognostic value of hs-CRP and the clinical outcome within 6 months were subject of the study. Death after 6 months was considered as primary endpoint. Results: The frequency of AF among patients admitted with suspected ACS was 124 (6.1%). During 6-month follow-up the mortality rate among patients with AF was significantly higher (20 [16.1%] vs 133 [6.9%];log-rank 13.72;p 0.001) compared to patients without AF. Cox regression analysis revealed an increased risk for ACS patients with AF with an adjusted HR of 2.63 (95% CI 1.48 - 3.78;p 0.001). Patients with AF showed significant higher levels of hs-CRP than patients without AF (6.01mg/dl IQR [1.7 - 17.8] vs 3.3mg/dl IQR [1.37 - 9.83];p = 0.003). By the use of multivariate Cox regression analysis, risk of mortality was higher when AF patients had higher concentrations of hs-CRP (HR 1.076;95% CI 1.02 - 1.13;p = 0.002).Conclusions: AF is a strong and independent indicator for increased mortality in patients presenting with ACS. hs-CRP predicts mortality in AF patients and should be considered for risk stratification in clinical routine.

Randomized controlled trial of remote ischemic preconditioning and atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

AIM To study whether remote ischemic preconditioning(RIPC) has an impact on clinical outcomes, such as post-operative atrial fibrillation(POAF).METHODS This was a prospective, single-center, single-blinded,randomized controlled study. One hundred and two patients were randomized to receive RIPC(3 cycles of 5 min ischemia and 5 min reperfusion in the upper arm after induction of anesthesia) or no RIPC(control). Primary outcome was POAF lasting for five minutes or longer during the first seven days after surgery. Secondary outcomes included length of hospital stay, incidence of inpatient mortality, myocardial infarction, and stroke. RESULTS POAF occurred at a rate of 54% in the RIPC group and 41.2% in the control group(P = 0.23). No statistically significant differences were noted in secondary outcomes between the two groups. CONCLUSION This is the first study in the United States to suggest that RIPC does not reduce POAF in patients with elective or urgent cardiac surgery. There were no differences in adverse effects in either group. Further studies are required to assess the relationship between RIPC and POAF.

RADIOFREQUENCY CATHETER ABLATION OF PERMANENT ATRIAL FIBRILLATION UNDER GUIDANCE OF CARTO-MERGE TECHNIQUE

Objective To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) to treat permanent atrial fibrillation (AF) under the guidance of Carto-Merge technique. Methods Fifteen male patients with permanent AF underwent RFCA under the guidance of Carto-Merge technique. The mean age was 54.00±10.44 years, and duration of AF was 23.66±14.93 months. Cardiac magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) was performed to obtain pre-procedural three-dimensional (3D) images on the anatomy of left atrium (LA) and pulmonary veins (PVs) before RFCA procedure. Then the electroanatomical map was integrated with 3D images of MRA to form Carto-Merge map that guided step-by-step ablation strategy of permanent AF. Circumferential PV ablation was performed first until complete PVs electric isolation confirmed by Lasso catheter. If AF was not terminated, lesion lines on roof of LA, mitral isthmus, and tricuspid isthmus were produced. Results The episodes of AF were terminated during RFCA in 2 patients, by direct current cardioversion in the remaining 13 patients. Transient AF occurred in 2 patients after ablation on 1st day and 1st week respectively, AF terminated spontaneously not long after taking metoprolol. One patient developed persistent atrial flutter (AFL) in 2 months after procedure and AFL was eliminated by the second ablation. Persistent AF recurred on 1st day, 1st and 5th week respectively in 3 patients, and did not terminate after 3 months even though amiodarone was given. The remaining 12 patients were all free of AF during 2-11 months of follow-up. The recent success rate for RFCA of permanent AF was 80%. Conclusions Carto-Merge technique can effectively guide RFCA of permanent AF. When combined with single Lasso mapping, it can simplify the mapping, lower expenses, and enhance the success rate of RFCA of permanent AF.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation and vitamin D

To the Editor I have read the article entitled ＂Predictors of new-onset atrial fibrillation in elderly patients with coronary artery disease after coronary artery bypass graft＂ by Anatol＇evna, et al. with great interest. The investigators reported that independent predictors of postoperative atrial fibrillation （POAF） after coronary artery bypass graft （CABG） in eld- erly patients were left atrium dimension （LA） and the in- creased postoperative concentration of Interleukin （IL）-6, IL-8 and superoxide dismutase.

Does Creatine Phosphokinase MB Predict Long-Term Cardiac Death or Atrial Fibrillation?

Objectives: Exploring the long-term consequences of elevated postoperative creatine phosphokinase MB as a surrogate measure of cardiac tissue damage subsequent to coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Methods: Prospective cohort study including 414 patients subjected to solitary CABG at Odense University Hospital from September 30, 2007, and backwards in time. According to individual postoperative peak creatine phosphokinase MB, patients were assigned to five subgroups. Kaplan Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional-hazard regression evaluated the predictive value of creatine phosphokinase MB on late death from cardiac cause and diagnosis of paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation within 10-years after CABG. Results: There was a general numeric decrease in time to cardiac death with increasing postoperative creatine phosphokinase MB (Log-Rank 0.285). Creatine phosphokinase MB p p p = 0.002) increase in paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation in patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation compared to patients in postoperative sinus rhythm. Conclusions: Postoperative creatine phosphokinase MB was not found predictive of late cardiac death or diagnosis of paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation within 10 years after CABG. However, patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation had increased risk of later developing paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation compared to patients in postoperative sinus rhythm.