Ischemic Preconditioning and Atrial Fibrillation after Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Surgery

Background: Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmic complication after coronary artery bypass grafting. Ischemic preconditioning has proved to be a potent endogenous factor in suppressing ischemia-reperfusion induced arrhythmia. Patients and Methods: In this prospective study, 101 patients were randomly selected and divided into two groups including 50 patients with ischemic preconditioning protocol and 51 patients in the control group. Data were collected from 24 hour electrocardiogram from 1 day before the operation to 3rd post-operative day. Atrial fibrillation was registered as positive, if it lasted longer than 30 seconds. Results: The postoperative atrial fibrillation was significantly lower in the ischemic preconditioning group that was 8% in ischemic preconditioning and 23.52% in control groups (P=0.033). Control group had a longer stay in intensive care unit and longer mechanical ventilation support. Conclusion: This study suggests that ischemic preconditioning is a useful prophylactic protocol to decrease the prevalence of post-cardiac surgery atrial fibrillation.