Post cardiac surgery AF – Cardiology MCQ – Answer

Post cardiac surgery AF – Cardiology MCQ – Answer

Peak incidence of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery is on: 

Correct answer: 2. Day 2

Peak incidence of post cardiac surgery AF is on second post operative day [1].

European guidelines on the prevention of post operative AF after cardiac surgery give a class I recommendation with level of evidence A for perioperative administration of beta blockers [2].

It may be noted that AF is one of the most common complications after cardiac surgery and it can increase morbidity and mortality. They may need prolonged ventilatory support and increase length of hospital stay. Risk of renal failure and stroke can be increased.

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References

1. Wyse DG, Waldo AL, DiMarco JP, Domanski MJ, Rosenberg Y, Schron EB, Kellen JC, Greene HL, Mickel MC, Dalquist JE, Corley SD; Atrial Fibrillation Follow-up Investigation of Rhythm Management (AFFIRM) Investigators. A comparison of rate control and rhythm control in patients with atrial fibrillation. N Engl J Med 2002;347:1825-1833.
2. Kirchhof P, Benussi S, Kotecha D, Ahlsson A, Atar D, Casadei B, Castellá M, Diener HC, Heidbuchel H, Hendriks J, Hindricks G, Manolis AS, Oldgren J, Alexandru Popescu B, Schotten U, Van Putte B, Vardas P. 2016 ESC guidelines for the management of atrial fibrillation developed in collaboration with EACTS. Eur J Cardiothorac Surg 2016;50:e1-e88.