Abstract

Background:

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication after cardiac surgery, particularly coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Despite advances in surgical techniques, POAF remains a significant cause of morbidity and mortality.

Objectives:

This study investigates the potential of the Triglyceride-Cholesterol-Body weight Index (TCBI) as a predictor of POAF, focusing on the impact of nutritional status on surgical outcomes.

Methods:

This retrospective study included 321 patients who underwent CABG surgery between January 2010 and January 2024. TCBI was calculated using preoperative blood samples and compared between those who developed POAF and those who did not. Statistical analyses, including Cox regression and ROC analysis, were performed to assess the predictive value of TCBI for POAF. P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results:

Patients who developed POAF had significantly lower TCBI (1790.8 ± 689, 3413.3±1232, p<0.001, respectively) levels compared to those without POAF. Also, age (p<0.001), the frequency of hypertension (p=0.009), CRP (p=0.03), and WBC (p=0.02) values were also significantly higher in patients who developed POAF.TCBI was identified as an independent predictor of POAF (OR: 0.998, 95% CI: 0.997-0.999, p<0.001), with a cut-off value of 1932.4 predicting POAF with 75% sensitivity and 78% specificity.

Conclusion:

The TCBI is a reliable indicator for predicting POAF in CABG patients. Preoperative identification of patients with low TCBI could lead to targeted interventions, reducing postoperative complications and improving outcomes. Optimizing nutritional status before surgery may mitigate the risk of POAF.