BACKGROUND: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (PAF) affects 12% to 17% of patients undergoing lobectomy and is associated with increased morbidity. CHADS

METHODS: A prospective thoracic surgery clinical database was reviewed to identify adult patients, without prior AF, who underwent elective lobectomy between January 1, 2005, and June 30, 2014. Nonelective and combined operations were excluded. Two groups (PAF and no PAF) were analyzed.

RESULTS: PAF developed in 113 of 933 patients with overall incidence of 12% for the entire group. Age (≥75 years) and coronary artery disease were the only significant preoperative characteristics between the two groups. Intensive care unit readmission, new neurologic events, length of stay, 30-day survival, and hospital mortality were significantly higher in the PAF group as were mean CHADS

CONCLUSIONS: Although multiple risk factors for PAF have been described, no easily applicable clinical model exists. Observed rate of PAF was significantly lower then the previously described 12% when CHADS