Association Between Obesity and Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery: An Updated Systematic Review

Abstract

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a frequent and severe complication following cardiac surgery. While obesity is established as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation (AF) in non-surgical settings, its role in the postoperative period is still debated. This systematic review aims to assess the relationship between obesity and POAF in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library, focusing on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published until June 2023. Data were extracted independently by two authors and assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool (RoB2). From an initial search of 1,284 articles, 11 studies met the inclusion criteria, with a range of sample sizes between 300 and 5,000 patients. The incidence of POAF in obese patients ranged from 30% to 54%, compared to 20% to 46% in non-obese patients. Five studies concluded that obesity was a significant risk factor for POAF, whereas four found no statistically significant relationship, and two reported an "obesity paradox," where obesity appeared protective or neutral regarding POAF risk. Our review provides evidence regarding obesity developing POAF after cardiac surgery.