Impact of volume status on the incidence of atrial fibrillation following aortic arch repair.

We evaluated the volume status of patients undergoing aortic arch repair to determine the impact of fluid balance on risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF). From 1993, 445 patients who underwent total aortic arch repair were enrolled in this study. Patients who had AF preoperatively or died within the 10th postoperative day (POD) were excluded. Volumes administered (input) and eliminated (output) through all routes were recorded, and fluid balance (input minus output) was calculated intraoperatively, on the day of surgery, and PODs 1-2. The incidence of new onset of AF was 53.9% (240/445). Total input on POD 1 was greater in patients developing AF than in those not developing it (3,372 +/- 90 vs 3,012 +/- 79; P = 0.0036), as was net fluid balance on POD 1 as well (-806 +/- 84 vs -558 +/- 90; P = 0.050). Blood transfusion volume was greater in patients developing AF than in those not developing it on POD 1 (1,285 +/- 89 vs 927 +/- 74; P = 0.003) and POD 2 (405 +/- 53 vs 227 +/- 47; P = 0.015). Increased input volume and net fluid balance on POD 1 are associated with an increased risk of postoperative AF in patients undergoing aortic arch surgery.