Partial CArdiac Denervation to prevent PostOperative Atrial Fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting (pCAD-POAF): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is commonly seen in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), increasing the risk of morbidity, mortality and hospital expenses. This study is aimed to evaluate the effect of partial cardiac denervation, which is achieved by cutting off the ligament of Marshall and resecting the fat pad along the Waterston groove, on the prevention of POAF after CABG. Patients planned for CABG at our center will be screened for eligibility for this study. A total of 430 patients will be randomized into intervention (partial cardiac denervation) group and control group. Intraoperative high-frequency electrical stimulation and further histologic analysis will be performed among certain number of patients to confirm the existence of ganglia. All of the patients will be continuously monitored for the incidence of POAF through electrophysiologic device until the 6th day postoperatively, and required to complete a 30-day follow-up (twelve lead electrocardiogram and echocardiogram assesment) after discharge. The primary endpoint is the incidence of POAF, while the secondary endpoints are the cost-effectiveness and safety outcomes. In conclusion, this trial will evaluate whether partial cardiac denervation through cutting off the ligament of Marshall and resecting the fat pad along the Waterston groove can reduce the incidence of POAF after CABG. If this procedure is revealed to be effective and safe, it may provide a potential therapeutic approach to prevent POAF in this group of patients.