Characterization of Post Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Atrial Fibrillation Patterns (CABG-AF): A Feasibility Study
Final Report Abstract
Within the CABG-AF pilot study we implanted insertable cardiac monitors (ICM) in 38 patients with no previous atrial fibrillation receiving coronary artery bypass graft surgery. We were able to establish an infrastructure for patient screening, recruitment, ICM implantation and continuous electrocardiographic monitoring. Modification of ICM programming choice led to a more efficient monitoring strategy. We furthermore developed an efficient timeline for data collection, processing and handling. All 38 patients in the pilot cohort were monitored for at least 6 months. Nineteen of the 38 patients (50 %) developed atrial fibrillation, supporting our hypothesis that the incidence of atrial fibrillation is higher than currently suggested in the literature. Most patients developed episodes within the first weeks after surgery while some patients developed episodes after hospital discharge. Silent or asymptomatic episodes made up 43 % of all episodes. A subgroup of patients developed episodes which we have termed “late silent episodes”. These are episodes detected via continuous monitoring after hospital discharge which were not noticed by the patient or treating physicians. The CABG-AF pilot study provides novel data regarding atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery. This data has created a strong impetus for expansion of the study to further centers and to a larger patient group.
