Characterizing Patients With POAF in Relation to Cardiac Surgery by wavECG and TTE

Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is frequently observed after open-heart surgery. Despite numerous attempts to predict POAF, it remains a challenge to correctly identify the patients at risk. New technologies are available but not yet in cooperated in clinical guidelines and prediction models. We aim at identifying patients at risk of AF occurrence/recurrence after open-heart surgery by use of signal processed surface ECG (wavECG). The study is an explorative, prospective cohort study of 100 patients undergoing first-time elective open-heart surgery in the Left Atrial Appendage Closure by Surgery-2 (LAACS-2) trial (NCT03724318). Patients are examined by electrocardiogram (ECG), wavECG, transthoracic echocardiography and continuous heart rhythm monitoring. Primary endpoint is occurrence/recurrence of AF. Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction as evaluated by wavECG will be used to predict incidence of primary endpoint.