Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation and Association with Ischemic Stroke

Atrial fibrillation first identified after noncardiac surgery is associated with long-term stroke risk.

Although postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) is considered an important cause of perioperative stroke, the relationship between 30-day postoperative AF (pAF) and longer-term cerebrovascular events has been less clear. In addition, whether pAF warrants consideration of treatment with oral anticoagulants (OAC) is uncertain. These authors conducted a retrospective study of 452 patients from Olmsted County, MN, with pAF documented during the years 2000 through 2013, matched with individuals without AF who also underwent surgery and were of similar age. The primary outcome was development of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). Secondary outcomes included later-confirmed AF and death.

Among the 904 participants (52% men), the median age …

Reviewing Author

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Seemant Chaturvedi, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardBayer Pharmaceuticals; Novartis

Grant/Research SupportNational Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Editorial BoardsNeurology; Stroke

Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation and Association with Ischemic Stroke

Topics

Reviewing Author