September 9, 2014

Weill Cornell Study Finds Link Between Developing Arrhythmia Post-Surgery and Stroke Risk

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By GRACE AHN

Over 33 million people worldwide are diagnosed with atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat originating in the left atrium of the heart commonly believed to be temporary and benign, according to Gino Gialdini, a post-doctoral associate in neuroscience at Weill Cornell Medical College.

According to a study published by researchers at Weill Cornell Medical College last month, however, patients diagnosed with new-onset atrial fibrillation post-surgery are at a significantly greater risk of stroke later on than those who do not develop atrial fibrillation.

Arrhythmia that appears for the first time after surgery is a common occurrence caused by direct trauma to the heart, and leads to electric abnormalities such as atrial fibrillation.

Jabin Botsford / The New York TimesHappy heart | An Aug. 13 study from Weill Cornell Medical Center found that patients who develop an arrhythmia during or after surgery are at a significantly higher risk of stroke post-surgery.