A prospective, multicenter cohort study evaluated the incidence and burden of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) detected by insertable cardiac monitors in adults undergoing first-time isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Among 192 monitored patients, the 1-year cumulative incidence of device-detected AF was 48%, yet the median AF burden sharply declined after the first postoperative month—3.65% during days 1 to 7, 0.04% during days 8 to 30, and 0% thereafter. Most episodes were asymptomatic and undetected by standard monitoring, and no strokes occurred in patients with AF. Researchers suggested that the minimal long-term AF burden challenges current recommendations for prolonged anticoagulation following CABG.

Source: JAMA