Predictive Capability of Metabolic Panels for Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiac Surgery Patients.

Introduction: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) occurs in up to 65% of cardiac surgery patients and is associated with an increased risk for stroke and mortality. Electrolyte disturbances in sodium (Na), potassium (K), total calcium (Ca), chloride (Cl), and magnesium (Mg) are predisposing factors for POAF, but these imbalances are yet to be used to predict POAF. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the development of POAF can be predicted by blood plasma ionic composition.