• Toshimasa Akazawa, Hiroko Nishihara, Hitomi Iwata, Kengo Warabi, Masayuki Ohshima, and Eiichi Inada.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Juntendo University, 2-1-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8421, Japan.
• J Anesth. 2008 Jan 1; 22 (4): 347-53.

PurposeAtrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent complication after coronary artery bypass surgery. Postoperative AF can lead to thromboembolic events, prolonged hospital stay, and increased costs. Recent reports have shown that an elevated plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) level is associated with AF. The purpose of this prospective study was to test the hypothesis that preoperative BNP level is a predictor of postoperative AF following off-pump coronary artery bypass surgery (OPCAB).MethodsOne hundred and fifty patients without a history of AF undergoing elective isolated OPCAB were enrolled. Plasma BNP level was measured preoperatively. Heart rate and rhythm were continuously monitored during the first 72 h after surgery.ResultsTwenty-six patients (17.3%) exhibited postoperative AF. This proportion is similar to those reported in earlier studies. Univariate analysis demonstrated that age (odds ratio [OR], 1.060; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.008 to 1.114; P = 0.023), previous myocardial infarction (MI; OR, 2.628; 95% CI, 1.031 to 6.697; P = 0.043), and BNP level (OR, 7.336; 95% CI, 2.401 to 22.409 / log BNP level; P < 0.001) were accurate predictors of postoperative AF. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis indicated age (OR, 1.059; 95% CI, 1.002 to 1.120; P = 0.043) and BNP level (OR, 6.272; 95% CI, 1.980 to 19.861/log BNP level; P = 0.002) as the only independent predictors of postoperative AF.ConclusionPreoperative BNP level is an independent predictor of postoperative AF following OPCAB. Our findings permit us to stratify the risk of AF and to plan prophylactic strategies in high-risk patients.

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