ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AFTER CARDIAC SURGERY: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY AND PREVENTION TECHNIQUES

Atrial fibrillation is one of the most frequent complications occurring after cardiac surgery. Post-operative atrial fibrillation confidently increases the risk of mortality and associated complications. Pathogenesis of this disorder is frequently based on combination of several promoting factors. A major number of studies has been performed among cardiac surgery patients in order to search for effective drug therapy or other surgical techniques aimed at post-operative atrial fibrillation prevention. At present none of the suggested prevention treatment can assure secure protection from post-operative atrial fibrillations and associated complications. Therefore new studies are needed aimed at the detail investigation of pathophysiology of this disorder and development of effective prevention and treatment methods.