Relation of an exaggerated rise in white blood cells after coronary bypass or cardiac valve surgery to development of atrial fibrillation postoperatively.

This study investigated the correlation between an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count as a marker of inflammation and the development of atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiac surgery. WBC counts were prospectively followed in 181 consecutive patients who underwent coronary bypass or cardiac valve surgery to determine if a baseline or postoperative WBC count elevation is an independent predictor of postoperative AF.