Gene Expression Profiling in Subjects With Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery

Atrial fibrillation is a type of irregular heartbeat that is common after having heart
surgery. There may be many different reasons why some people get atrial fibrillation after
their heart surgery. These reasons may include that a person is older or that he/she is
taking certain types of medications before surgery. Genes may also be a reason. Genes contain
the material passed from parent to child that determines the make-up of the body and mind.
For example, some genes control the color of your hair or eyes. Some people may have genes
that make it more likely for them to get atrial fibrillation after their heart surgery. This
research project is being done to find out if the cells of people who develop atrial
fibrillation after heart surgery are different from the cells in people who do not develop
atrial fibrillation after surgery.

This study seeks to identify regulatory events in atrial myocyte transcription and
translation that are altered by germline variation

Inclusion Criteria:

- Age 20-80 years

- Undergoing cardiac surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

- Prior atrial fibrillation or flutter

- Taking Amiodarone

- Taking Sotalol