Abstract
New-onset atrial fibrillation is a common complication in the intensive care unit. The incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is high, especially after cardiac surgery. Compared with cardiac surgery, the information on POAF occurring in non-cardiac surgery is not sufficient. In non-cardiac surgery, POAF occurs mainly on the postoperative day 2, which prolongs hospital stay and increases mortality rate. Medical prophylactic agents may effectively reduce POAF. After POAF onset, rate-control or rhythm-control is used, but it is unknown whether these treatments are truly effective. In perioperative management, the incidence of POAF differs depending on the type of pulmonary resection surgery. Patients taking statins and beta-blockers before the operation should continue to take them, and patients with POAF should take magnesium sulfate when serum magnesium concentration is low. The definition of POAF differs depending on each study, and there are many uncertain points. In this paper, we discuss POAF epidemiology, risk factors, prophylaxes, and treatments mainly for pulmonary resection, esophagectomy, and lung transplantation.
