Right coronary artery severe stenosis as a predictor of new onset atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery

Background: post-operative Atrial fibrillation (POAF) commonly occurs in patients undergoing cardiac surgeries including Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Role of right coronary artery (RCA) stenosis in developing POAF after CABG is not settled yet. Objective: This retrospective study aimed to assess severe RCA stenotic lesion (70% or more narrowing) as a predisposing factor for POAF, in patients undergoing on-pump CABG, whether the RCA was grafted or not. Patients and methods: A total of 100 patients who underwent on-pump CABG in xxxx Hospitals and xxxx Hospitals between January 2022 and June 2022 were divided into two groups: Group (A) had severe right coronary artery disease, and Group (B) did not have severe right coronary artery disease. Following the operation, all patients were examined daily for electrocardiogram (ECG) alterations until they were discharged. Results: The mean age of the included patients was 52.6 (± 3), and 55 % of them were females. The mean Left ventricular ejection fraction was 56 (± 5). Incidence of atrial fibrillation was significantly higher in patients with severe RCA stenosis compared to those without severe RCA stenosis; p= 0.001 (68% vs 34%) denoting positive correlation between significant RCA stenosis and POAF; r=0.340, p=0.001. Conclusion: Severe RCA stenosis is one of the predictors of developing AF after CABG