Impact of Posterior Pericardiotomy on Prevention of Post Operative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Coronary Bypass Surgery

Purpose: Coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (CABG) is a common surgical procedure used to treat coronary artery disease (CAD). Despite advancements in the surgical techniques and perioperative care, cardiac surgery patients remain at risk of developing complications, especially atrial fibrillation (AF), The present study aimed to investigate the impact of posterior pericardiotomy on the incidence of postoperative AF and other relevant complications following CABG.

Methods: This study is a randomized controlled trial conducted at a single center. A total of 204 patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the pericardiotomy group and the non-pericardiotomy group (control group). The study assessed the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation within the first 7 days following CABG surgery.

Results: Our findings revealed no statistically significant difference in the incidence of pericardial effusion and AF between the pericardiotomy and non-pericardiotomy groups. The lack of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in the on-pump CABG method may have contributed to the absence of significant differences in pericardial effusion rates between the groups. Moreover, we found that posterior pericardiotomy did not significantly affect the intubation time, length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and total hospital stay in either group. Our study differs from previous research that focused on off-pump CABG patients. Studies that utilized CPB reported a significant reduction in pericardial effusion and arrhythmias with posterior pericardiotomy. This discrepancy suggests that the use of CPB may play a crucial role in the occurrence of arrhythmias and subsequent complications.

Conclusions: our study indicates that posterior pericardiotomy did not significantly influence the incidence of pericardial effusion and AF in on-pump CABG patients. Considering the differences in surgical techniques and patient populations, further research with larger sample sizes is warranted to provide more definitive insights into the role of posterior pericardiotomy in this specific setting. Comprehensive studies will be instrumental in guiding clinical decisions and establishing best practices for the prevention of postoperative pericardial effusion and arrhythmias in on-pump CABG patients.