AF after non-cardiac surgery increases stroke risk
US researchers say the findings suggest anticoagulation therapy may be needed postoperatively
Patients who develop AF following non-cardiac surgery have a significantly increased risk of transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke during the next five years, a study shows.
AF following non-cardiac surgery is thought to be triggered by postoperative stress and systemic inflammation, coupled with predisposing comorbid conditions.
What's not clear is how often the arrhythmia is an isolated postoperative event or an arrhythmia that is likely to persist.
To investigate US researchers analysed data on 452 patients with new