Predictive value of aortic knob width for postoperative atrial fibrillation in coronary artery bypass surgery

Abstract

Objective: The aim of our study was determine whether aortic knob width (AKW) is associated with the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) after isolated coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Methods: In this retrospective observational cohort study, we evaluated 135 patients without hemodynamically significant valvular problems. AKW was measured on chest X-ray by digital system. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to find independent associates of postop- erative AF (POAF). The diagnostic value of AKW was assessed using ROC analysis. Results: POAF occurred in 43 (31.8%) of all patients. The age, AKW, left atrial (LA) diameter and C-reactive protein (CRP) were significantly higher in patients with POAF than without POAF (67.2±8.6 vs 61.3±9.8 years, p=0.004; 45.6±5.8 vs 36.1±3.8 mm, p