Evaluation and Monitoring of the Protocol for the Management of Post Operative Atrial Fibrillation Based on Intravenous Beta-blockers in Cardiac Surgery

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common complication after open heart surgery. Its reported incidence is about 30%, and it is associated with a significant increase rate of thromboembolic events, respiratory failure, a longer lenght of stay in hospital and mortality. (1 ;2) Gillinov's study has shown equivalent effectiveness of a rhythm control and rate control strategy, in AF patients after cardiac surgery, with increased side effects in patients treated with rhythm control agents. (3) The introduction of beta-blockers can be poorly tolerated hemodynamically in patients hospitalized in intensive care unit, unless untroducing a cardio-selective beta-blocker..

Methods Patients who underwent a cardiac surgery from Novembre 2019 to Novembre 2021 were included. Patients with a previous history of atrial arrhythmias were excluded. The primary endpoint is assess effectiveness of service protocol to maintain cardiac frequency below. 110 bpm. The secondary endpoints included hemodynamic tolerance and outcomes.