A propensity-matched comparison of the incidence of new-onset postoperative atrial arrhythmias in cardiac and noncardiac thoracic surgery patients.

Objective: The primary aim of this investigation was to compare the incidence of new-onset postoperative atrial arrhythmias (POAAs) in cardiac versus noncardiac thoracic surgery patients. A subgroup analysis also was performed in the cardiac surgery patients comparing POAAs in patients who underwent cardiac surgery on and off cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Design: This was a retrospective study using the Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesia patient registry.