Acta Medica Scandinavica · 1973 · 28 citations · 10 references
MedicineCardiologySurgeryCardio-oncologyCardiothoracic SurgeryPulmonologyAtrial FibrillationLung CancerThoracic SurgeryAtrial Fibrillation ComplicationsPostoperative ArrhythmiasPostoperative Atrial FibrillationPostoperative Cardiac Complications
Abstract A series of 300 consecutive thoracotomies for non‐cardiac diseases has been analysed with a view to the occurrence and nature of postoperative cardiac arrhythmias. Atrial fibrillation proved to be by far the most common type. Among 168 patients who had undergone operation for malignant pulmonary disease 19.6% had atrial fibrillation postoperatively, as compared with 3.1% of patients who had been operated upon for benign pulmonary disease ( p <0.001). More detailed assessment of the preoperative, operative and postoperative parameters in the group with cancer of the lung did not demonstrate factors predisposing to or eliciting atrial fibrillation. It is suggested that common aetiological factors—e.g. smoking—may play a role. Possibly investigations using constant monitoring of circulatory parameters may elucidate the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation following thoracotomy.
10