Marco Lo Presti

Cardiac arrhythmias complicate 20–50% of surgical procedures and contribute substantially to perioperative morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs, with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) being the most frequent form. Their genesis reflects the convergence of surgical stress, anaesthetic agents, autonomic imbalance, systemic inflammation, and electrolyte disturbances, explaining the limited efficacy of single-mechanism interventions. This narrative review synthesises contemporary evidence on pathophysiology, risk stratification, prevention, acute management, and emerging technologies, emphasising individualised, patient-tailored approaches. MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched (January 2010–January 2026), prioritising randomised trials, meta-analyses, and guidelines. Contemporary risk stratification integrates clinical scores, biomarkers, and electrocardiographic parameters; machine-learning models show moderate discrimination (pooled AUC 0.84) and may enable more personalised prediction pending external validation. Evidence-based prophylaxis—beta-blockade, magnesium, selective amiodarone, and emerging anti-inflammatory strategies such as colchicine—reduces POAF in high-risk populations, while acute management is guided by haemodynamic status and individual risk. Anticoagulation follows CHA₂DS₂-VASc stratification, although optimal timing and duration remain undefined. Wearable monitoring, AI-based detection, and atrial-selective agents show clinical promise. Systematic, personalised integration of risk assessment, prophylaxis, monitoring, and management offers the clearest path to reducing arrhythmia-associated morbidity.

Cardiac arrhythmias complicate 20–50% of surgical procedures and contribute substantially to perioperative morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs, with postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) being the most frequent form. Their genesis reflects the convergence of surgical stress, anaesthetic agents, autonomic imbalance, systemic inflammation, and electrolyte disturbances, explaining the limited efficacy of single-mechanism interventions. This narrative review synthesises contemporary evidence on pathophysiology, risk stratification, prevention, acute management, and emerging technologies, emphasising individualised, patient-tailored approaches. MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched (January 2010–January 2026), prioritising randomised trials, meta-analyses, and guidelines. Contemporary risk stratification integrates clinical scores, biomarkers, and electrocardiographic parameters; machine-learning models show moderate discrimination (pooled AUC 0.84) and may enable more personalised prediction pending external validation. Evidence-based prophylaxis—beta-blockade, magnesium, selective amiodarone, and emerging anti-inflammatory strategies such as colchicine—reduces POAF in high-risk populations, while acute management is guided by haemodynamic status and individual risk. Anticoagulation follows CHA₂DS₂-VASc stratification, although optimal timing and duration remain undefined. Wearable monitoring, AI-based detection, and atrial-selective agents show clinical promise. Systematic, personalised integration of risk assessment, prophylaxis, monitoring, and management offers the clearest path to reducing arrhythmia-associated morbidity.