Despite ongoing efforts to reduce POAF, it remains a significant complication after pulmonary resection. Our study revealed an 8.4% incidence of NSCLC, supporting the prevalence of POAF[1–4]. While research on POAF has decreased in recent years, this topic remains important. By analyzing preoperative inflammatory markers, POP incidence, and other risk factors, we found that POP incidence, age, and TNM stage were significant factors affecting POAF. These findings validate the findings of previous research and provide guidance for prevention and treatment.
Previous studies have suggested that local inflammation is a risk factor for POAF[9–11]. Earlier research has linked the occurrence of POAF to interleukin-2, interleukin-6, and C-reactive protein[11–13]. Boons et al.[10] reported associations between prolonged ventilation and pneumonia combined with POAF in cardiothoracic surgery patients. Preventive measures such as low-flow oxygen inhalation may reduce the incidence of POAF, although this remains controversial[14]. In our study, POP accounted for the highest proportion of complications, approximately 55.5% (66/119). Additionally, a greater proportion of POP was observed in the POAF group than in the non-POAF group (28.1% vs. 16.3%, p = 0.09), indicating a correlation between POP and POAF occurrence. Through multivariate analysis, we obtained preliminary evidence that POP is indeed an independent risk factor for POAF (P = 0.042).
On the other hand, preoperative inflammatory markers, such as white blood cell count, are widely recognized as predictive factors for POAF[15–16]. However, related research on the impact of preoperative inflammatory indices on the development of POAF following lung cancer surgery is rare. In this study, the main preoperative inflammatory indices used were the pSII, PLR, NLR, and LMR. To some extent, they represent the preoperative inflammatory level in patients. Additionally, there is evidence that these indices can predict the occurrence of POP[17]. Although this study revealed no impact of inflammatory indices on POAF, further research is needed to determine whether these indices can predict the occurrence of POP, which in turn may affect the development of POAF.
Age has consistently emerged as the most significant factor influencing POAF incidence, with its incidence increasing with age. In 2002, Amar's study emphasized that the incidence of POAF increases with age in patients aged > 60 years who underwent thoracic surgery, identifying this age group as a risk factor[18]. In our study, the average age of patients in the POAF group (68 years) was significantly greater than that of patients in the non-POAF group (63 years) (p < 0.002). The results of the multivariate analysis further corroborated the impact of age on POAF, which was consistent with the findings of previous research[1, 5, 7, 18].
In 2014, a study conducted by Jelena Ivanovic et al.[19] revealed that out of 274 patients, 43 had atrial fibrillation. Based on the 2009 AJCC 7th edition staging system, patients were categorized into stages IA/IB, IIA/IIB, IIIA/IIIB, and IV. The results revealed a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.05). Additionally, there was a significant difference among the patients in the stage IV subgroup (P < 0.05). In 2010, Onaitis et al.[20] conducted a study utilizing the Thoracic Surgeons General Thoracic Surgery Database, focusing on patients with lung cancer who underwent lobectomy or pneumonectomy. Patients were categorized based on TNM staging into those with pathological stages less than stage II and those with pathological stages greater than stage II. Multivariate analysis indicated that patients with higher-stage or larger tumors were more prone to developing POAF. Thus, TNM staging is indeed related to POAF. In our study, we also found a relationship between TNM stage and POAF (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis revealed that TNM staging is an independent risk factor for POAF. However, it is quite peculiar that early-stage lung cancer patients were more prone to developing POAF than advanced-stage patients were among those with stages I to III. Upon analyzing the data, we believe that this discrepancy may be attributed to selection bias, as stage I patients accounted for 88.2% of the sample. Therefore, the data distribution in our study is inconsistent. Nevertheless, we can conclude that TNM staging does have an impact on POAF. However, further research is needed to understand the specific circumstances involved.
Research has suggested that the volume of the resected lung may affect POAF. One study[3] revealed that the incidence of POAF was lower in patients who underwent segmental resection (1.4%) than in those who underwent lobectomy resection (2.8%). Furthermore, early studies[2, 21] identified pulmonary resection surgery as an independent risk factor for POAF. Several studies have proposed a potential association between tissue loss during pulmonary resection, postoperative reduction in lung function, myocardial hypoxia, and POAF[4, 7]. In our study, the results revealed a statistically significant difference between the POAF and non-POAF groups (P = 0.049). However, multivariate analysis revealed that the type of lung resection was not an independent risk factor for POAF. Interestingly, no patients in the POAF group underwent pneumonectomy. Only 5 (1.3%) of the included patients underwent left-sided pneumonectomy. However, pneumonectomy has been reported as a risk factor for POAF[19]. Therefore, the type of lung resection may impact the occurrence of POAF, but the limited number of patients who underwent pneumonectomy restricts this comparison.
Mediastinal lymph node dissection may cause direct damage to the cardiac nerve plexus at the aortic arch and tracheal bifurcation, thereby affecting the incidence of POAF. Some experts[1, 2, 22] have hypothesized that mediastinal lymph node dissection could trigger atrial fibrillation, increasing the risk of POAF. However, a study[23] argued that there is no significant association between them.
We separately analyzed the number of mediastinal lymph nodes and the number of lymph node stations explored. The POAF group had a significantly greater median number of mediastinal lymph nodes (9 vs 4) and average number of detected lymph node stations (3 vs 2) than did the non-POAF group (P < 0.05). However, multivariate analysis demonstrated that the impact of the number of lymph nodes and the number of explored lymph node stations on POAF was minimal. Therefore, further research is still needed to investigate whether omitting mediastinal lymph node dissection reduces the occurrence of POAF.
Both the type of lung resection and mediastinal lymph node dissection can influence the duration of surgery. Previous research has indicated an increased incidence of POAF when the surgical duration exceeds 180 minutes[24]. In our study, the average surgical durations for the POAF and non-POAF groups were approximately 166 minutes and 141 minutes, respectively. Although there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.022), multivariate analysis showed that it had no impact on POAF. This finding is consistent with the aforementioned research since the average surgical duration in both groups did not exceed 180 minutes. Therefore, we still recommend attempting to maintain the surgical duration within 180 minutes whenever possible.
Previous studies have consistently reported a correlation between POAF and prolonged postoperative hospital stay[2]. Our research revealed that patients who developed POAF had a median postoperative hospital stay of approximately 11 days, whereas patients who did not develop POAF had a median hospital stay of 9 days (p = 0.001). Additionally, the drainage time in the POAF group was significantly prolonged, and the drainage volume was greater. Univariate analysis also demonstrated correlations between postoperative hospital stay (P = 0.001), drainage time (P < 0.001), drainage volume (P < 0.001), and POAF. Although multivariate analysis did not reveal drainage time or volume to be independent risk factors for POAF, prolonged drainage time and increased drainage volume during hospitalization can lead to a longer hospital stay, which can also have an impact on POAF incidence. Therefore, further multicenter data collection and prospective studies are necessary.
Previous studies have consistently indicated that POAF often occurs within three days after surgery[1–2]. Our research revealed that the incidence of POAF was highest on the first day after surgery (65.6%), with 31 out of 32 cases occurring within three days after surgery. This early occurrence may be exacerbated by increased sputum production within 24–72 hours after surgery, potentially leading to acute hypoxemia. Pain and anesthesia directly affect respiratory and cough reflexes, increasing the incidence of POAF. Notably, POAF typically diminishes over time and is usually transient after pulmonary resection surgery. It is often caused by surgical trauma, hypoxemia, or other stressors rather than organic heart disease. Therefore, POAF following pulmonary resection surgery is typically transient.
Amiodarone and digoxin have been recommended by researchers for the effective management of POAF[9]. Our study assessed the efficacy of these agents in the treatment of POAF. Among the 26 patients treated with amiodarone or digoxin, clinical improvement was observed in all patients. Of the 32 patients, 29 had a restored sinus rhythm before discharge, while 3 continued to have atrial fibrillation and received anticoagulant therapy after discharge. Some patients reported symptoms of palpitations and chest discomfort, but all patients maintained hemodynamic stability and did not experience significant discomfort.
This study has several strengths. First, there is limited research on preoperative inflammatory indices, and this study innovatively incorporated preoperative inflammatory indices into the analysis. Although the results showed no correlation with POAF, the inclusion of preoperative inflammatory indices opens up a new avenue for future research as our understanding of inflammatory indices deepens. Second, this study included anti-inflammatory drugs as a variable of interest, providing further insights into the management of these drugs.
This study has several limitations. First, due to the retrospective enrollment of patients from a single center, there is a possibility of selection bias, potentially resulting in the exclusion or underdetection of patients with POAF. Second, incomplete data were collected for outcomes such as lung function and pain, limiting their examination. Third, the sample size was small, and the incidence of POAF was limited, which affected the comprehensive analysis of risk factors. Fourth, for the indicators of anti-inflammatory drugs, we did not conduct further detailed analysis, such as the type, dosage, or duration of treatment. Therefore, in our future work, we will delve into these aspects to gain a better understanding of their impact on postoperative recovery.
In summary, the results of this study demonstrated no significant association between preoperative inflammatory indices and the POA. However, TNM stage, age, and POP were identified as independent predictors of POAF. Preliminary findings regarding TNM staging suggest that early-stage NSCLC patients may be more prone to developing POAF than early-stage patients, but further validation is needed. Additionally, POAF was found to be associated with prolonged hospital stays.