Does aortic valve disease etiology predict postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing aortic valve surgery?

Background: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is one of the most common complications of cardiac surgery and is associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Methods: We analyzed 830 patients without prior atrial fibrillation who underwent aortic valve replacement for aortic stenosis and/or aortic regurgitation. Results: The incidence of POAF was 38%. The patients with POAF were older, predominately male and hypertensive. The incidence of POAF was significantly different according to the valve etiology. At multivariate analysis, rheumatic and degenerative aortic valve etiologies were independent predictors of POAF. Conclusion: Aortic valve disease etiology affects the development of POAF. Rheumatic and degenerative etiologies have a higher risk of developing POAF independently of other clinical, functional and hemodynamic variables.