New-onset Atrial Fibrillation Post-surgery for Esophageal and Junctional Cancer: Incidence, Management, and Impact on Short- and Long-term Outcomes

The authors investigated the impact of new onset a-fib after esophagectomy in 437 pts.  Risk factors included age, diabetes, induction therapy, and cardiac history.  A-fib was associated with postoperative pneumonia, symptomatic pleural effusions, and an increase in C-reactive protein.  It was not associated with anastomotic leak or mortality.  92% of affected pts were discharged in sinus rhythm.  Long-term survival was not related to the development of a-fib.