Long-Term Outcomes of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery: Results From 19,000 Patients

This study examined the incidence, temporal trends, and long-term outcomes of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in a contemporary cohort of 19,316 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. POAF occurred in 32.8 percent of patients, with the highest rates observed after combined procedures, although the incidence declined significantly over the study period. After adjustment for baseline and procedural factors, POAF was associated with reduced long-term survival, corresponding to an average loss of 0.45 years of life expectancy across 10 years, and a higher risk of heart failure hospitalization. In contrast, no independent association was observed between POAF and long-term stroke. The authors conclude that, despite improvements in perioperative care and declining incidence, POAF remains a common complication and an important marker of adverse long-term prognosis following cardiac surgery.