Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonism Reduces Atrial Arrhythmias Post-Cardiac Surgery and Attenuates Atrial Stress Responses to Cardioplegic Arrest.

Background: New postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) occurs in about 40% after cardiac surgery. Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) are known to reduce chronic atrial fibrillation (AF) development and burden. We examined the impact of preoperative MRA use on POAF and also examine the atrial cell type impacted by MRA treatment during cold cardiac preservation.