C- Reactive protein is a risk indicator for atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract

Background: Atrial fibrillation after cardiac operations is a source of morbidity and resource consumption.

Aim: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the association between preoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) and atrial fibrillation (AF) after isolated coronary bypass surgery.

Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study enrolled 125 patients who underwent isolated coronary bypass surgery at Al-Assad and Al-Mouassat University Hospitals at Damascus during the period between June 2018 – June 2019 .                 

C-reactive protein was measured in perioperative blood samples of patients. Baseline CRP was dichotomized into a low and a high baseline group, using a cutoff value of 3 mg/L.

Results: AF occurred in 34 patients (27.2%, 34/125) of patients after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. 20 of 90 patients (22.2%) with low preoperative CRP levels had AF versus 14 of 35 patients (40%) with high baseline CRP levels (P=0.04).

Multivariate logistic regression analysis of data showed an odds ratio of 2.33 (95% confidence interval: 1–5.4) for high preoperative CRP levels in predicting atrial fibrillation after isolated coronary bypass surgery.

Conclusion: Patients with high baseline CRP levels are at higher risk of having postoperative atrial fibrillation after isolated coronary bypass surgery.