Skip to main content
Journal cover image

Atrial fibrillation after pulmonary transplant.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Nielsen, TD; Bahnson, T; Davis, RD; Palmer, SM
Published in: Chest
August 2004

BACKGROUND: Although atrial fibrillation or flutter (AF) is thought to occur commonly after pulmonary transplantation, little is known about the epidemiology, risk factors, or clinical significance of arrhythmia in this population. The aim of the current study was to determine the incidence, clinical predictors, and associated morbidity of AF after lung transplant. METHODS: The records of 200 consecutive adult patients who underwent lung transplantation at a single institution from August 1998 to June 2002 were studied. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to define the predictors for posttransplant AF. RESULTS: Indications for transplant included COPD in 43%, cystic fibrosis in 18%, and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in 17%. The transplants were bilateral (79%) or single lung (21%). The mean age of the patients was 50 years (range, 19 to 66 years; median, 54 years). Postoperative AF within 14 days of transplant occurred in 78 patients (39%), with a mean onset of 3.8 +/- 3.0 days (+/- SD). Significant predictors of AF were as follows: age >or= 50 years (odds ratio [OR], 2.1; p = 0.01), IPF (OR, 2.3; p = 0.03), existing coronary disease (OR, 2.0; p = 0.009), enlarged left atrium (LA) on echocardiography (OR, 3.9; p = 0.05), and number of postoperative vasopressors (OR, 1.5; p = 0.03). Patients with AF had longer hospital stays (32.4 +/- 60.0 days vs 17.5 +/- 24.1 days, p = 0.04), were more likely to undergo tracheostomy (OR, 3.6; p = 0.0003), and had more in-hospital deaths (OR, 5.7; p = 0.0005) than patients without AF. CONCLUSIONS: AF is a frequent complication after lung transplant. Advanced age, IPF, known coronary disease, enlarged LA, and use of postoperative vasopressors increase the risk for developing AF. The development of posttransplant AF is associated with significantly prolonged hospital stay and increased mortality. Prospective studies designed to prevent posttransplant AF are needed to clarify the extent to which AF impacts on posttransplant outcomes.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Chest

DOI

ISSN

0012-3692

Publication Date

August 2004

Volume

126

Issue

2

Start / End Page

496 / 500

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tracheostomy
  • Respiratory System
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Middle Aged
  • Lung Transplantation
  • Logistic Models
  • Length of Stay
  • Humans
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Nielsen, T. D., Bahnson, T., Davis, R. D., & Palmer, S. M. (2004). Atrial fibrillation after pulmonary transplant. Chest, 126(2), 496–500. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.126.2.496
Nielsen, Thomas D., Tristram Bahnson, R Duane Davis, and Scott M. Palmer. “Atrial fibrillation after pulmonary transplant.Chest 126, no. 2 (August 2004): 496–500. https://doi.org/10.1378/chest.126.2.496.
Nielsen TD, Bahnson T, Davis RD, Palmer SM. Atrial fibrillation after pulmonary transplant. Chest. 2004 Aug;126(2):496–500.
Nielsen, Thomas D., et al. “Atrial fibrillation after pulmonary transplant.Chest, vol. 126, no. 2, Aug. 2004, pp. 496–500. Pubmed, doi:10.1378/chest.126.2.496.
Nielsen TD, Bahnson T, Davis RD, Palmer SM. Atrial fibrillation after pulmonary transplant. Chest. 2004 Aug;126(2):496–500.
Journal cover image

Published In

Chest

DOI

ISSN

0012-3692

Publication Date

August 2004

Volume

126

Issue

2

Start / End Page

496 / 500

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Tracheostomy
  • Respiratory System
  • Pulmonary Fibrosis
  • Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Middle Aged
  • Lung Transplantation
  • Logistic Models
  • Length of Stay
  • Humans