Diagnostic value of pre-operative serum procollagen type I C-terminal propeptide and procollagen type III N-terminal propeptide levels for post-operative atrial fibrillation in elderly cardiac-surgery patients

Elevated pre-operative PICP and PIIINP independently predict POAF in elderly cardiac-surgery patients, and their combination enhances risk stratification beyond clinical factors. Incorporating these biomarkers could guide targeted prophylaxis and improve peri-operative management; prospective multicentre validation is warranted.