Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation and its association with the Atrial Substrate and the electrophysiological properties of the Atrial Myocardium

Postoperative atrial fi brillation (AF) has a high prevalence, affecting up to 45% of coronary artery bypass graft surgery patients within the fi rst week of the operation [1-4]. Interestingly, asymptomatic AF was reported more likely to occur after the fi rst 4 days following the cardiac surgery. Postoperative AF is associated with increased morbidity and several types of complications. It was associated with increased duration of hospitalization, with high healthcare costs, and has been associated with an increased incidence of stroke, the need for permanent pacemaker placement, and early and late mortality.