Incidence, timing, symptoms, and risk factors for atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.

Background: Atrial fibrillation is the most common complication after cardiac surgery and a major cause of morbidity and increased cost of care.

Objectives: To examine the incidence, timing, symptoms, and risk factors for atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.

Methods: A total of 302 patients were continuously monitored for atrial fibrillation with standard hardwire and telemetry devices during hospitalization after coronary artery bypass graft and/or valve surgery and with wearable cardiac event recorders for 2 weeks after discharge from the hospital.