Postoperative Arrhythmia and Preoperative Cardiac Function

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF), defined as newly onset atrial fibrillation occurring during hospitalization, is a common complication following cardiac surgery, affecting approximately 20-30% of patients. Studies have shown that patients who develop POAF experience longer hospital stays, incur higher medical costs, and have increased rates of stroke- and heart failure-related complications, as well as higher risks of readmission and mortality.

POAF is generally believed to result from acute perioperative triggers acting on preexisting structural abnormalities of the atria or ventricles. However, the echocardiographic predictors of POAF remain poorly understood. While previous studies have examined the association between preoperative transthoracic echocardiography (TTE)-assessed left atrial and left ventricular function and the development of POAF, the detailed relationship between intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE)-assessed atrial and ventricular function, its intraoperative changes, and POAF remains insufficiently explored.

This study aims to investigate the association between echocardiographic parameters-including preoperative TTE and TEE, as well as postoperative follow-up parameters-and the risk factors related to POAF.