The Association Between ABO Blood Group Phenotypes and Incidence of Atrial Fibrillation Post-Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Retrospective Study

Postoperative atrial fibrillation is a common and clinically significant complication following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, with reported incidence rates ranging from 20% - 40%. Existing evidence suggests that inflammation and thrombotic mechanisms may play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atrial fibrillation in this context. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the potential association between ABO blood group and the risk of developing atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. The study retrospectively analysed data from 301 consecutive patients who underwent isolated coronary artery bypass grafting at a single institution between January 2022 and January 2024. Patients who developed postoperative atrial fibrillation lasting within 96 hours were included in the analysis. The results: showed that patients with blood group A had a significantly higher incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation compared to those with other blood groups (49.8% vs 24.9% for group B, 8.3% for group AB, and 16.9% for group O; p=0.023). After adjusting for potential confounding factors, such as age, sex, and relevant clinical risk factors, the association between blood group A and increased risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation remained statistically significant. These findings suggest that a patient's ABO blood group may be an independent risk factor for the development of atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass grafting surgery. The underlying mechanisms likely involve the influence of ABO blood group antigens on thrombotic and inflammatory pathways, predisposing individuals with blood group A to an increased risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation and its associated complications. Further research is warranted to elucidate the precise pathophysiological mechanisms and investigate the potential clinical implications of these findings in the management of patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting.