Impact of Left Atrial Function on Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation

Postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass greft operation (CABG) is major complication with a prevalence of 10-50%. Although the men mechanism is not known, in recent studies, age and left atrial function have been demonstrated as the most responsible factors. Velocity vector imaging (VVI) is a new modality which may give accurate and detailed information on both left atrial segmental and global function. In this study, our aim was to assess preoperative left atrial function by using three different echocardiographic modalities, VVI, tissue Doppler imaging and conventional echocardiography and evaluate the relation between the left atrial functions and the development of post-operative atrial fibrillation after CABG.

Inclusion criteria

• 1Coronary artery disease evidenced by coronary angiography
• 2Patients with a decision of undergoing elective coronary artery bypass greft operation
• 3Sinus rhythm in electrocardiography

Exclusion criteria

• 1Rheumatic valve disease
• 2Having prosthetic valve
• 3CABG accompanied by other cardiac interventions (such as valvular surgery, ASD closure...etc)
• 4Left ventricular l ejection fraction <40%
• 5Mild to moderate mitral stenosis or regurgitation
• 6Having atrial fibrillation or a history of atrial fibrillation attach during the last two weeks.
• 7Congenital heart disease
• 8Chronic liver disease
• 9Chronic renal disease
• 10Malignancy