An observational study of the management practices and outcomes of patients with new onset atrial fibrillation in non-cardiothoracic surgeries.

Background And Objective: Limited data exist on characteristics and management of patients with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after noncardiothoracic surgeries and on the relationship between symptoms and outcomes. We sought to describe clinical features, in-hospital practices and outcomes in patients with new POAF by the presence or absence of clinical symptoms.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of adults with POAF in one tertiary center.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing non-cardiac non-thoracic surgery: A practical approach for the hospitalist.

New postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common perioperative arrhythmia and its reported incidence ranges from 0.4 to 26% in patients undergoing non-cardiac non-thoracic surgery. The incidence varies according to patient characteristics such as age, presence of structural heart disease and other co-morbidities, as well as the type of surgery performed.