Atrial Fibrillation After Surgery for Colorectal Cancer

Background Atrial fibrillation is an irregularly irregular heartbeat and occurs in around 1.5% of the population. It is associated with negative clinical outcomes such as cardiac failure and mortality. It is strongly implicated in the evolution of stroke, which carries significant burden and cost to patients and the National Health Service (NHS). Atrial fibrillation can be triggered by major physiological stresses such as surgery. The literature suggests that symptomatic atrial fibrillation occurs in 10% of patients within 90 days of surgery. This means that a proportion of patients may have undetected atrial fibrillation, and require treatment to reduce their risk of complications. As the investigators move towards stratified and personalised medicine, it is important to identify the characteristics of the patients at risk of developing atrial fibrillation after surgery in order to mitigate the effects of the condition. This research group has proposed a basic model to stratify patients into high risk groups for post-operative atrial fibrillation, although this requires testing and refinement in a prospective study. Aims To estimate the rate of atrial fibrillation following colorectal cancer surgery and to characterise patients at highest risk of atrial fibrillation following surgery for colorectal cancer. Method A prospective study of patients over the age of 65 undergoing colorectal cancer resection will be conducted across 15 colorectal units in the United Kingdom. It will recruit 720 patients over an 18 month period. The study has been designed with regard to public and patient involvement. Patients over the age of 65 undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer with curative intent and no prior diagnosis of atrial fibrillation will be eligible for inclusion. Participants will be screened prior to entry with an electrocardiogram (ECG). Following consent, routine demographic data, EQ-5D-5L (five dimension), and blood sample for Brain Natriuretic Peptide (BNP) will be collected. A 24-hour cardiac rhythm recording will be undertaken prior to surgery to confirm the absences of atrial fibrillation. ECG will be repeated on the day of discharge and 24 hour rhythm recordings repeated at 30 and 90 days post surgery. EQ-5D-5L x will be recorded at 90 days along with any use of health services for cardiac symptoms. Participants diagnosed with atrial fibrillation during the study will be directed to local inpatient or primary care services as appropriate. Demographic characteristics, ECG parameters and BNP will be combined with a previously derived model and tested for ability to predict atrial fibrillation.