Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) is highly stressful for couples, since comorbid anxiety and depression are most commonly reported and hence most researched pre- and postoperative emotional states. Thus, patients' psychological well-being may contribute more to the level of disability than their physical impairment. Despite this extremely stressful process, psychological preparation is ironically often neglected in CABS couples. The primary aim of the study was to examine the feasibility of hypnotherapeutic ego strengthening (HES) to enhance the ability of CABS couples' to cope with psychological distress associated with hospitalisation and surgery. Secondary aims were to determine the contribution of HES in reducing anxiety and depression, as well as enhancing and maintaining ego strength, quality of life and dispositional optimism in CABS patients and spouses. An overview of coronary heart disease (CHD), risk factors involved, psychological aspects concomitant to CABS (specifically anxiety and depression) and a conceptualisation of HES according to the relevant literature, preceded the empirical study. The experimental design consisted of a two-group, pre-post-follow-up assessment design. A sample of fifty married, male patients admitted to Unitas Hospital in Pretoria with a first, uncomplicated CABS was randomly assigned, together with their spouses, to an experimental- (n = 25) and control group (n = 25). Informed consent was obtained for all project participants. Thus, both groups consisted of twenty-five patients and spouses. To test the hypotheses, experimental patients and spouses were required to participate in the HES intervention. Respondents completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) (Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1995). Profile of Mood States (POMS) (McNair, Lorr & Doppleman, 1992), Epstein and O'Brien Ego Strength Scale (1982), Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI) (Frisch, 1994) as well as the Life Orientation Test (LOT) (Scheier & Carver, 1985). Test administration of couples occurred preoperatively, on the day of discharge, and at six-week follow-up. Before commencing the intervention, group comparability was confirmed by means of the t-test for independent groups. At programme completion the significance of differences within and between groups was determined by means of t-tests. Statistically significant p-values were subjected to Cohen's d statistic to determine the practical significance of the findings. A confidence interval of 99% determined the values of the differences between the postoperative and follow-up findings. Results confirmed that the HES intervention significantly reduced postoperative anxiety and depression levels in experimental CABS patients and spouses, which was maintained at follow-up. No change was observed among control group patients and spouses. Moreover, the HES intervention significantly improved and maintained postoperative ego strength, quality of life and dispositional optimism in experimental CABS couples. The overall outcome of the control patients and spouses revealed a decreasing trend with regard to dispositional optimism and quality of life. Qualitative responses largely confirmed quantitative indications of reduced comorbidity and enhanced psychological well-being among experimental participants. Despite design limitations, the results confirmed that HES enhanced CABS couples' inner resources and attenuated concomitant negative mood states. Thus, it was concluded that HES played a meaningful role in the preparation and care of CABS couples by reducing comorbidity and improving their psychological well-being. Finally, recommendations for further studies were made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Coronary artery bypass surgery (CABS) is highly stressful for couples, since comorbid anxiety and depression are most commonly reported and hence most researched pre- and postoperative emotional states. Thus, patients' psychological well-being may contribute more to the level of disability than their physical impairment. Despite this extremely stressful process, psychological preparation is ironically often neglected in CABS couples. The primary aim of the study was to examine the feasibility of hypnotherapeutic ego strengthening (HES) to enhance the ability of CABS couples' to cope with psychological distress associated with hospitalisation and surgery. Secondary aims were to determine the contribution of HES in reducing anxiety and depression, as well as enhancing and maintaining ego strength, quality of life and dispositional optimism in CABS patients and spouses. An overview of coronary heart disease (CHD), risk factors involved, psychological aspects concomitant to CABS (specifically anxiety and depression) and a conceptualisation of HES according to the relevant literature, preceded the empirical study. The experimental design consisted of a two-group, pre-post-follow-up assessment design. A sample of fifty married, male patients admitted to Unitas Hospital in Pretoria with a first, uncomplicated CABS was randomly assigned, together with their spouses, to an experimental- (n = 25) and control group (n = 25). Informed consent was obtained for all project participants. Thus, both groups consisted of twenty-five patients and spouses. To test the hypotheses, experimental patients and spouses were required to participate in the HES intervention. Respondents completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II) (Beck, Steer, & Brown, 1995). Profile of Mood States (POMS) (McNair, Lorr & Doppleman, 1992), Epstein and O'Brien Ego Strength Scale (1982), Quality of Life Inventory (QOLI) (Frisch, 1994) as well as the Life Orientation Test (LOT) (Scheier & Carver, 1985). Test administration of couples occurred preoperatively, on the day of discharge, and at six-week follow-up. Before commencing the intervention, group comparability was confirmed by means of the t-test for independent groups. At programme completion the significance of differences within and between groups was determined by means of t-tests. Statistically significant p-values were subjected to Cohen's d statistic to determine the practical significance of the findings. A confidence interval of 99% determined the values of the differences between the postoperative and follow-up findings. Results confirmed that the HES intervention significantly reduced postoperative anxiety and depression levels in experimental CABS patients and spouses, which was maintained at follow-up. No change was observed among control group patients and spouses. Moreover, the HES intervention significantly improved and maintained postoperative ego strength, quality of life and dispositional optimism in experimental CABS couples. The overall outcome of the control patients and spouses revealed a decreasing trend with regard to dispositional optimism and quality of life. Qualitative responses largely confirmed quantitative indications of reduced comorbidity and enhanced psychological well-being among experimental participants. Despite design limitations, the results confirmed that HES enhanced CABS couples' inner resources and attenuated concomitant negative mood states. Thus, it was concluded that HES played a meaningful role in the preparation and care of CABS couples by reducing comorbidity and improving their psychological well-being. Finally, recommendations for further studies were made. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Psychology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Darbo tikslas Įvertinti antro tipo cukrinio diabeto (2 tipo CD) chirurginio gydymo klinikinį ir ekonominį efektyvumą. Uždaviniai : 1. Ištirti visus pacientus operuotus dėl nutukimo ir 2 tipo CD LSMUL KK Chirurgijos klinikoje 2005-2010 metais. 2. Palyginti šių pacientų klinikinę būseną ir gyvenimo kokybę prieš ir praėjus daugiau kaip 1 metams po operacijos. 3. Palyginti 2 tipo CD gydymo išlaidas operuojant ir neoperuojant bei įvertinti skrandžio apylankos operacijos ekonominį efektyvumą. Tyrimo metodika Tyrimui atlikti buvo išduotas Kauno regioninio bioetikos komiteto leidimas Nr. BE-2-59. Atlikta pacientų, kuriems dėl nutukimo ir 2 tipo CD 2005-2010m. Kauno Klinikose buvo atlikta skrandžio apylankos operacija, duomenų retrospektyvinė analizė. Praėjus daugiau kaip 1 metams po operacijos detaliai ištirta pacientų klinikinė būsena. Gyvenimo kokybės ir operacinio gydymo naudingumo įvertinimui taikyti SF-36 klausimynas ir SF-6D konversijos modelis. Ekonominio naudingumo analizės modelis naudotas apskaičiuojant ir lyginant operacinio ir konservatyvaus 2 tipo CD tiesiogines gydymo išlaidas. Duomenys apdoroti ir analizuoti naudojant statistinį duomenų analizės paketą SPSS 15. Rezultatai 2005-2010 metais Kauno klinikų chirurginiame skyriuje dėl nutukimo ir 2 tipo CD operuoti 76 pacientai (52 moterys ir 24 vyrai). 67 pacientams buvo atlikta skrandžio apylankos operacija, 8 skrandžio apjuosimo reguliuojama juosta operacija ir 1 pacientui marginalinė skrandžio rezekcija (sleeve... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / Aim To evaluate the clinical and cost-effectiveness of the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric-bypass (LRYGB) in obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Tasks: 1. To investigate all the patients underwent the LRYGB on obesity and type 2 diabetes in LUHS Kaunas Hospital in 2005-2010. 2. To compare the clinical outcomes and quality of life (QoL) in operated patients before and 1 year or later after the surgery. 3. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of LRYGB and to compare it with the conventional treatment cost. Methodology of the research The retrospective study of 51 patient underwent LRYGB on obesity and type 2 diabetes in LUHS Kaunas Hospital in 2005-2010. The clinical evaluation of operated patients 1 year or later after the laparoscopic gastric-bypass. SF-36 questionnaire and SF-6D conversion model were used to evaluate the QoL and health benefits after the surgery. To evaluate and to compare the surgical and conventional treatment costs in obese type 2 diabetes patients, the cost utility analysis model was used. Kaunas regional committee of bioethics approved the project (permission Nr BE-2-59). The data was processed and analysed using the package SPSS 15,0 of statistical data analysis. Results 76 patients (52 women and 24 men) were operated on obesity and type 2 diabetes in LUHS Kaunas Hospital in 2005-2010. 67 patients underwent LRYGB, in 8 patients the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding and sleeve resection in 1 patient were performed. One year or later after the... [to full text]

INTRODUÇÃO: A ecocardiografia com perfusão miocárdica em tempo real (EPMTR) é uma técnica que permite a avaliação da perfusão miocárdica e a quantificação do fluxo miocárdico regional. Existem poucos dados na literatura a respeito da acurácia da EPMTR na detecção de viabilidade miocárdica e predição da melhora da qualidade de vida proporcionada pela revascularização miocárdica. MÉTODOS: Vinte e quatro pacientes com doença arterial coronária e disfunção ventricular esquerda crônica foram submetidos à EPMTR e questionário de qualidade de vida antes e após revascularização miocárdica. EPMTR foi realizada com injeção intravenosa contínua de PESDA ou Definity® e energia modulada. Recuperação funcional regional foi considerada padrão de referência (miocárdio hibernante), viabilidade miocárdica foi definida como presença de perfusão homogênea em pelo menos 1 segmento miocárdico no território revascularizado à avaliação qualitativa e a análise do fluxo miocárdico foi realizada nos 17 segmentos do ventrículo esquerdo obtendo-se índices de volume de sangue no miocárdio (A), da velocidade do fluxo () e do fluxo miocárdico absoluto (Ax) na condição de repouso no pré-operatório. Todos territórios revascularizados foram analisáveis. RESULTADOS: Presença de miocárdio hibernante foi observada em 77% dos territórios com viabilidade miocárdica pela EPMTR e em 44% dos territórios sem viabilidade (p=0,03). A presença de viabilidade pela EPMTR qualitativa apresentou sensibilidade, especificidade, valor preditivo positivo (VPP) e valor preditivo negativo (VPN) de 74%, 60%, 77% e 56%, respectivamente. Análise combinada (reserva contrátil e/ou perfusão miocárdica) resultou sensibilidade, especificidade, VPP e VPN de 89%, 40%, 73% e 67%, respectivamente. O valor de Ax 1,76 conferiu sensibilidade de 91,3%, especificidade de 50%, VPP de 75% e VPN de 77,8%, resultando em uma acurácia de 75,7%. O escore de qualidade de vida foi de 36,4 (29,1-43,6) para 18,1 (12,8-23,4; p =0,001) no pós-operatório. Entretanto, não houve correlação estatística com análise de perfusão miocárdica.CONCLUSÃO: Concluímos que a avaliação da perfusão miocárdica pela EPMTR apresenta boa acurácia para detecção de miocárdio hibernante em pacientes com DAC crônica e DVE. A presença de miocárdio viável pela EPMTR não foi capaz de prever a melhora da qualidade de vida após a cirurgia de revascularização miocárdica / BACKGROUND: Real-time perfusion echocardiography (RTPE) is an emerging modality for assessing myocardial perfusion and allows noninvasive quantification of regional myocardial blood flow. Little is known about the accuracy of the RTPE for the assessment of myocardial viability and the possibility of prediction of quality of life improvement after myocardial revascularization. METHODS: Twenty four patients with coronary artery disease and ventricular dysfunction underwent RTPE and answered Minnesota Quality of Life Questionnaire before and repeated after myocardial bypass coronary surgery. RTPE was performed using continuous PESDA or Definity intravenous infusion with power modulation image. Regional function recovery after surgical procedure was considered the standard reference (hibernating myocardial). Qualitatively, viability was defined as presence of homogeneous opacification in at least one myocardial segment in a rest revascularized territory, according coronary distribution. For myocardial blood flow evaluation, the left ventricle was divided into 17 segments, and indexes of myocardial blood volume (A), blood flow velocity (), and myocardial blood flow (Ax) were obtained for each myocardial segment at rest condition. All revascularized territories were analyzed. RESULTS: Hibernating myocardial was observed in 77% of RTPE viable territories and in 44% in non-viable ones (p=0.03). Sensitivity, specificity, predictive positive and negative values of qualitative RTPE viability detecting were 74%, 60%, 77% and 56%, respectively. A combined analysis (contractile reserve and/or myocardial perfusion) provided sensitivity, specificity, predictive positive and negative values of 89%, 40%, 73% e 67%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive positive and negative values of Ax1.76 for recovery of function were 91%, 50%, 75% and 78%, respectively, with an accuracy of 76%. Quality of life score improved from 36.4 (29.1-43.6) to 18.1 (12.8-23.4; p =0.001). However, there was no statistical correlation with RTPE. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, RTPE provides good accuracy of detecting hibernating myocardial in patients with coronary artery disease and ventricular dysfunction. Nevertheless, it couldnt predict the quality of life improvement after myocardial revascularization

Hjärt- och kärlsjukdomar är den största dödsorsaken i världen. En av behandlingarna som kan ges vid detta är koronar bypass operation. Väntan inför denna operation kan upplevas oviss och skapa oro hos patienten. Syftet med litteraturstudien var att undersöka patientens upplevelse i väntan på koronar bypass operation. Metod: Studien genomfördes som en allmän strukturerad litteraturstudie med induktiv ansats där sex kvalitativa, en kvantitativ samt en artikel med mixad metod erhölls. Data bearbetades genom en innehållsanalys. Resultat: Resultatet visade att patienter upplever såväl emotionell som somatisk påfrestning i väntan på koronar bypass operation. De mest framträdande upplevelserna var att patienterna upplevde ängslan och oro, ovisshet, rädsla och fysiska restriktioner. Dessa upplevelser mynnade ut till två teman den emotionella väntan och den somatiska väntan. Konklusion: I väntan på koronar bypass operation var de mest framträdande upplevelserna ovisshet samt ängslan och oro. För att reducera ovissheten, ängslan och oron var det av största vikt att sjuksköterskan arbetade personcentrerat. En sjuksköterskeledd intervention samt möjlighet att prata med tidigare koronar bypass operation patienter visade en signifikant reducering av den emotionella påfrestningen. En ökad förståelse för patienters upplevelse i väntan på koronar bypass operation är av stor vikt för att möjliggöra personcentrerad omvårdnad. / Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the world. One of the treatments for this is to undergo a coronary artery bypass graft. The waiting time before surgery causes uncertainty and worry in some patients. The aim was to examine patients’ experience while waiting for coronary artery bypass. The Method used was a general structured literature study with an inductive approach, where sixarticles with a qualitative approach, one quantitative and one with mixed method were found. The data was processed through a content analysis. The Result showed that patients experience both emotional and somatic stress while waiting for coronary artery bypass surgery. The most dominant experiences and emotions that patients felt were anxiety, uncertainty, fear, and physical restrictions. These experiences and emotions resulted in two themes Emotional waiting and Somatic waiting. TheConclusion showed to reduce uncertainty and anxiety it was of the utmost importance that the nurse applied person-centered care. A nurse-led intervention as well as the opportunity to talk with former coronary artery bypass patients showed a significant reduction in emotional strain. An increased understanding of patient´s experience while waiting for coronary artery bypass is of great importance to enable person-centered care.

Varje år genomgår omkring 800 000 personer en kranskärlsoperation i världen. En kranskärlsoperation är omfattade och påverkar patienten fysiskt, psykiskt och psykosocialt, vilket i sin tur kan komma att påverka livskvaliteten efter operationen. Livskvalitet är subjektivt och kan upplevas olika beroende på personen i fråga. Eftersom livskvaliteten kan förändras efter en kranskärlsoperation är det viktigt att sjuksköterskan har kunskap och förståelse om vilka faktorer som kan vara betydande för den postoperativa livskvaliteten. Syftet med studien var att belysa faktorer som kan påverka patientens livskvalitet efter en genomgången kranskärlsoperation. Metoden för detta arbete var en litteraturöversikt med en systematisk sökstrategi i databaserna PubMed och CINAHL. Sökningarna som genomförts resulterade i 15 kvantitativa artiklar som analyserades med hjälp av en integrerad analys. Resultatet består av fyra kategorier som belyser faktorer som påverkar livskvaliteten. De kategorier som utgjorde resultatet var fysiska faktorer, psykiska faktorer, biologiska faktorer samt psykosociala faktorer. De mest framstående faktorerna som sågs påverka livskvaliteten var fysiska begränsningar, oro och ångest, social isolering samt komplikationer. Vidare framkom det att faktorer som ålder och kön påverkade hur deltagarna skattade sin livskvalitet. Slutsatsen från denna litteraturöversikt var att livskvaliteten kan komma att påverkas av flera olika faktorer efter en kranskärlsoperation. Resultatet kan vara användbart för sjuksköterskor som arbetar med patienter som ska eller har genomgått en kranskärlsoperation för att kunna ge information om hur livskvaliteten kan påverkas av olika faktorer. Genom att informera patienten om detta kan en trygghet och medvetenhet skapas vilket kan främja hälsan och därmed livskvaliteten. För att få en ytterligare förståelse för hur personer på ett subjektivt sätt ser på livskvalitet behövs mer kvalitativ forskning. / Every year about 800 000 people around the world undergo coronary artery bypass surgery. A coronary artery bypass is an extensive surgery and affects the patient both physically, mentally and psychosocially, which in turn may affect the quality of life after the surgery. Quality of life is subjective and can be experienced differently depending on the person. Since quality of life can change by a coronary artery bypass surgery, it is important that the nurse has knowledge and an understanding of the factors that may be significant for the postoperative quality of life. The aim of this study was to illustrate factors which can affect the quality of life of patients who undergo a coronary artery bypass surgery. The method of this study was a literature review with a systematic search strategy in the databases PubMed and CINAHL. The searches made resulted in 15 quantitative articles that were analyzed using an integrated analysis. The result consists of four categories that illustrate factors which can affect the quality of life. The categories in the result were physical factors, mental factors, biological factors and psychosocial factors. The main factors identified affecting the quality of life were physical limitations, worries and anxiety, social isolation and complications. Furthermore, it emerged that factors such as age and gender also affected how the participant rated their quality of life. The conclusion of this literature review shows that quality of life can be affected by several different factors after coronary artery bypass surgery. The results of this study can be useful for nurses who work with patients who are planning or have undergone coronary artery bypass surgery, by providing adequate information on how quality of life can be affected. By informing patients about these factors which can impact on quality of life, security and awareness can be created, which can help promote health. To gain further understanding of how patients in a subjective way experience quality of life, more qualitative research is needed.

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O enxerto de artéria torácica interna tem demonstrado capacidade de remodelamento devido a interação com o leito arterial coronariano. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a influência dos fatores clínicos e angiográficos no remodelamento dos enxertos, definido como variação no calibre vascular. Casuística e métodos: No período entre 1983 e 1999, 356 pacientes realizaram cirurgia de revascularização do miocárdio utilizando a artéria torácica interna esquerda para o ramo interventricular anterior e a artéria torácica interna direita para um ramo da circunflexa. Trinta e dois pacientes foram submetidos a cineangiocoronariografia pós-operatória, a qual foi posteriormente analisada com o aplicativo CASS II®. Este estudo observacional apresentou acompanhamento médio de 42 meses(6-204 meses). As variáveis angiográficas analisadas foram os diâmetros proximal e distal dos enxertos arteriais (variável dependente), área coronariana, pontuação de fluxo TIMI, diâmetro de estenose proximal, fluxo dominante distal e ramos patentes. Fatores de risco cardiovascular também foram incluídos. Resultados: O modelo de regressão linear múltiplo demonstrou um R2ajustado=0,69 (p=0,0001) para o modelo a direita e R2ajustado=0,46 (p=0,002) para a esquerda. Os enxertos apresentaram diâmetros proximal e distal de 2,67mm ±0,085 e 2,232mm ±0,085 à esquerda; 2,458mm ±0,088 e 2,010mm ± 0,091 (média±EP) à direita, respectivamente (p>0,05). Nenhuma variável clínica obteve correlação significante estatisticamente. A área coronariana apresentou coeficiente de beta=0,42 (0,14-0,6/IC-95%) e diâmetro de estenose proximal de 0,55 (0,40-0,65/IC-95%) para o remodelamento do lado direito. A área coronariana demonstrou coeficiente de beta=0,54 (0,3- 0,68/IC-95%) para o remodelamento do lado esquerdo. Conclusões: A artéria torácica interna não demonstrou diferença de calibre em relação a lateralidade (esquerda vs direita). O diâmetro de estenose proximal da artéria coronária revascularizada demonstrou correlação positiva com o remodelamento dos enxertos do lado direito. A área da artéria coronária revascularizada foi a única variável de influência para o remodelamento bilateral dos enxertos / Internal thoracic artery grafts has demonstrated capacity for remodeling due to interaction with the coronary artery bed. The goal was to analysis the influence of clinical and angiographic factors in this remodeling as defined as grafts caliber variation. Methods: In a period from 1983 to 1999, 356 patients underwent to coronary artery bypass surgery using the left internal thoracic artery anastomosed to interventricular anterior branch and the right internal thoracic artery to circumflex branches. Thirty two patients were submitted to postoperative coronary angiography which was further analysed by CASS II® software. The mean follow-up of this observational study was 42 months(6- 204 months). Angiographic variables analyzed was proximal and distal diameters of arterial grafts(dependent variable), coronary area, TIMI flow grade, proximal stenosis diameter, dominant distal flow and patent branches. Cardiovascular risk factors were included indeed. Results: The multiple regression model demonstrated R2adjusted=0.69 (p=0.0001) for right side and R2adjusted=0.46 (p=0.002) for left side. The grafts presented proximal and distal diameters of 2.67mm ±0.085 and 2.232mm ±0.085 from left side; 2.458mm ±0.088 and 2.010mm ±0.091 (mean±SE) from right side respectively (p > 0,05). None of the clinical variables had statistical significant correlation. The coronary area presented as a beta coefficient=0.42 (0.14-0.6/CI-95%) and proximal stenosis diameter of 0.55 (0.40-0.65/CI-95%) for right side remodeling. The coronary area shown a beta coefficient=0.54 (0.3- 0.68/CI-95%) for left side remodeling. Conclusions: The internal thoracic artery did not demonstrate difference in caliber about its laterality (left vs right). The proximal stenosis degree of the bypassed coronary artery demonstrated positive correlation with remodeling for the right side grafts. Bilateral grafts remodeling was only explained by positive correlation with the bypassed coronary area

<p>The aim was to study pathophysiological mechanisms and risk factors for developing atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), and the effect of thoracic epidural anaesthesia (TEA).</p><p>The study comprised 141 patients undergoing CABG, including 45 patients randomised for TEA intra- and postoperatively. All patients underwent 24-hour Holter monitoring pre- and postoperatively for the analysis of arrhythmias and heart rate variability (HRV). Catecholamines and neuropeptides (reflecting sympathetic and parasympathetic activity), atrial peptides and echocardiographically assessed atrial arias were obtained pre- and postoperatively.</p><p>Logistic regression analysis identified body mass index (BMI), maximum supraventricular beats (SPB) per minute, and total amount of cardioplegia as independent predictors of postoperative AF. Patients developing AF showed limited diurnal variation of HRV preoperatively. All HRV parameters decreased significantly in all patients postoperatively. The significant postoperative increase in atrial areas and atrial peptides did not differ between patients developing AF and those who did not. TEA had no effect on the incidence of postoperative AF, but resulted in lower heart rate, less increase in adrenaline levels, and decreased neuropeptide levels (reflecting sympathetic and parasympathetic activity). AF was initiated by an SPB in 72.4% of non-TEA and 100% of TEA treated patients, whereas changes in heart rate only, before onset, were seen in 17.2% non-TEA patients.</p><p>The observed risk factors, SPB and cardioplegia, may both induce electrophysiological changes known to increase the susceptibility to AF. The observed postoperative atrial dilatation and autonomic imbalance, indicated by HRV and neuropeptide levels, may further favour the development of AF. The observation that a majority of postoperative AF was initiated by a premature atrial contraction supports our hypothesis that latent atrial foci may be a major trigger mechanism of postoperative AF.</p>