CD8+CD28null T Lymphocytes are Associated with the Development of Atrial Fibrillation after Elective Cardiac Surgery

Abstract

We found that cytotoxic CD8⁺CD28^null T lymphocytes proved to be a strong and independent predictor for the development of POAF after elective cardiac surgery. Our results potentially indicate an autoimmune impact of this preexisting, highly cytotoxic T cell subset in the pathogenesis of POAF.