Using preoperative four-dimensional automated left atrial quantification echocardiography to predict postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery

4D auto LAQ echocardiography is a novel, non-invasive tool for the analysis of LA structure and function in the preoperative setting of cardio surgery. The 4D auto LAQ parameters (including LAVpreA, LASct, and LASct-c), age, RBC transfusion, and valve surgery are independent predictors of the occurrence of POAF. The predictive model that includes the 4D auto LAQ parameters is more conducive to the risk stratification of POAF after cardiac surgery than traditional clinical models. However, our study had a small sample size, and lacked a validation group; thus, further studies need to be conducted to verify the efficacy and reliability of our predictive model in the future.