Aim: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia with an incidence of 25-40%, after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Resistin is a newly identified adipocyte-secreted hormone belonging to a cysteine-rich protein family. This study examined the relation of preoperative and postoperative early serum resistin level, which can play an important role as an inflammatory marker to predict AF after CABG.
Methods: We prospectively analyzed 40 consecutive patients (mean age, 59.2+10.3 years; 31 men and nine women) who were undergoing CABG between September and November 2009 at our department. Blood samples were taken to examine quantities of resistin level, the day before surgery and on the 24th hour in the intensive care unit.
Results: The incidence of AF was 25% (n=10, 2.2+1.1 days, 1.2+0.4 episodes). Preoperative resistin level was higher in the AF group (10.6+3.3 vs. 9.1+4.5 ng/ml, P=0.33), but it was not statistically significant. Postoperative resistin level was significantly higher in the AF group (27.4+8.4 vs. 17.9+9.1 ng/ml, P=0.012) compared with the sinus rhythm group. Resistin levels significantly increased after the surgery in both groups [9.1+4.5 vs. 17.9+9.1 ng/ml, P<0.001 (sinus rhythm group) and 10.6+3.3 vs. 27.4+8.4 ng/ml, P<0.001 (AF group)].
Conclusion: Patients with an elevated postoperative resistin level may have high risk for AF after CABG. This intervention targeting inflammation might help reduce the incidence of AF.