“Atrial fibrillation, the most common sustained dysrhythmia, is a common postoperative complication. Previous studies have shown that the incidence, prevalence, and associated morbidity and mortality increase progressively with age.
Development of POAF and mortality is dependent upon a wide range of factors not limited to age and medical comorbidities. Although a patient may be at an increased risk for POAF this does not mean they are at an increased risk for mortality.”

“This study has identified the following independent risk factors associated with development of non-cardiac surgery POAF: advanced age, male sex, colonic resection surgeries, coagulopathy, fluid and electrolyte imbalances and history of congestive heart failure. This study also elucidated several independent risk factors contributing to in-hospital mortality following POAF. Like predicting the risk of developing POAF: advanced age, male gender, colon resection surgeries, coagulopathy, fluid and electrolyte imbalances and history of congestive heart failure were also associated with greater risk of in-hospital mortality”

Prince-Wright LH, et al . Postoperative atrial fibrillation following non-cardiac surgery: Predictors and risk of mortality. Am J Surg. 2022 Oct;224(4):1062-1067. Full Text for Emory Users