Article

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) is a frequent complication
after cardiac surgery. AF may also occur after hospital discharge during
postacute rehabilitation.
Several studies have addressed the AF that occurs in
the hospital after surgery, and predictors have already been identified.
Postoperative AF that occurs after hospital discharge has not been investigated
thoroughly, and predictors are still unknown. In this study, we hypothesized that
moderate-intensity physical activity in the year before surgery might favorably
affect the incidence of AF during postacute rehabilitation.
DESIGN: : We tested
our hypothesis in a cohort of 158 older patients admitted to a medical
rehabilitation facility for postacute inpatient rehabilitation after coronary
surgery and continuously monitored by telemetry for the duration of the
rehabilitation. RESULTS: : Independent of potential confounders, patients who
reported low-intensity physical activity in the year before surgery showed a
significantly higher incidence of AF during postacute rehabilitation when
compared with those who reported moderate-intensity physical activity (32.1% vs.
8.1%; P = 0.029). Other independent predictors of AF during postacute
rehabilitation were the occurrence of AF during the patients' stay in hospital,
larger left atrial volume, and lower left atrial emptying fraction. CONCLUSIONS:
These findings confirm our hypothesis that physical activity in the year before
surgery affects the incidence of postoperative AF during postacute rehabilitation. The results also provide information regarding possible
predictors that may assist in identifying patients who could benefit from
preventive treatments.

Langue : ANGLAIS