Baseline Atrial Fibrosis Predicts Risk for Post-operative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: A Pilot Study for SAPPORO-AF
Tulane University
Summary
The study aims to evaluate and compare the incidence of atrial arrhythmias (including Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation (POAF), atrial flutter, and atrial tachycardia) stratified by baseline Utah fibrosis stages and overall fibrosis (%) of the left atrial wall area. The investigators hypothesize that patients with a higher baseline Utah fibrosis staging will experience a higher incidence of POAF. The study also aims to evaluate and compare the in-hospital mortality, length-of-stay (LOS), complication rates (strokes, pneumonia, respiratory failure etc.) of the different Utah fibrosis stage cohorts. Perform cost analysis and compare between patients with POAF and patients without POAF. The investigators hypothesize that patients experiencing POAF will have a higher mortality rate, longer LOS, greater complications, and therefore, additional hospital costs.
Description
The study is a a prospective, observational cohort study. 50 patients undergoing cardiac surgery (Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), valvular etc.) without a history of atrial fibrillation will be given a baseline Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) upon which patients will be assigned Utah stages I-IV based on their left atrial fibrosis pattern. Overall fibrosis (%) of the left atrial wall area will also be collected. Patients will then undergo their planned surgeries receiving management adherent to current guidelines and standard of care procedures. Atrial arrhythmia incidence after surgical…