[Atrial fibrillation in patients after coronary artery bypass grafting: the role of autonomic nervous system].

In 42 patients the 24-hour ECG was performed before and on the fifth day after the elective coronary artery bypass grafting. In general 34 bouts of atrial fibrillation occurred in 14 patients. According to frequency analysis of the HRV 23 (67.6%) of these paroxysms were found sympathetically driven, 6 (17.6%) vagally driven and 5 (14.7%) undefined. The predominating role of adrenergic activation in the initiation of the bouts of atrial fibrillation in this group of patients suggests the need to use adequate doses of beta-adrenolytic agents during the perioperative period of ischaemic heart disease treatment.