Which of the following mechanisms is responsible for AFib occurring in the immediate postoperative period after a maze procedure?
A. Change in the atrial refractory period as a result of the surgical manipulationChange in the atrial refractory period as a result of the surgical manipulation. The occurrence of AFib post-cardiac surgery is believed to be related to shortening of the refractory period of atrial tissue as it recovers from surgical manipulation, cardioplegia, and, potentially, ischemia. This nonuniformity of recovery results in reentry as the mechanism of AFib.