Objective

We sought to elucidate national practice patterns regarding anticoagulation and antiarrhythmic medication use at discharge and examine short-term patient outcomes.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed the data of patients from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database from July 2011 to June 2018 who underwent first-time isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) and developed new post-CABG atrial fibrillation (AF) without significant complications. In total, 166,747 patients met study criteria. We examined 30-day outcomes.

Results

In total, 166,747 patients were analyzed and divided into 4 groups based on discharge medications: amiodarone with or without anticoagulation, anticoagulation alone, and neither. Demographic characteristics were similar among the 4 groups. In total, 25.7% of patients were discharged on anticoagulation with an average CHA₂ DS₂ -VASc score of 3.2 ± 1.3. Anticoagulation use at discharge was not associated with lower 30-day stroke readmissions (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.87; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.65-1.16; P = .35). Adjusted 30-day readmissions for major bleeding were significantly more common in anticoagulated patients (AOR, 4.30; 95% CI, 3.69-5.03; P < .0001). Among those discharged off anticoagulation, there was no significant difference in adjusted 30-day stroke rates based on amiodarone use at discharge (AOR, 1.19; 95% CI, 0.85-1.66; P = .31).

Conclusions

Post-CABG anticoagulation for new AF is associated with increased bleeding and no difference in stroke at 30 days. Prospective randomized studies are needed to formalize safe and efficacious short- and long-term management strategies.