Table 2.

Definition and monitoring of POAF used in the included trials of the meta-analysis

First author/Year of publication	Definition of POAF	Monitoring of POAF
Jideus/2001 [15]	The absence of consistent P waves before each QRS complex and with an irregular ventricular rate, lasting 30 seconds or longer	Twenty-four hour Holter ECG performed on the first 4 consecutive days, or until clinically documented sustained atrial fibrillation
Nygard/2004 [16]	New-onset atrial fibrillation (irrespective of treatment), an irregular narrow complex rhythm with absence of P waves	Twenty-four hour Holter ECG performed on the first 5 consecutive days
Bakhtiary/2007 [17]	An episode of atrial fibrillation or flutter lasting for more than 30 seconds	Continuous ECG performed for 48 hours, then, twice daily 12-lead ECG performed until hospital discharge
Tenenbein/2008 [18]	A need for pharmacologic treatment	Holter ECG performed on the first three postoperative days
Caputo/2009 [19]	New onset of atrial fibrillation not present preoperatively	Continuous ECG performed in the intensive care unit, high-dependency unit, and ward, and daily 12-lead ECG analysis

POAF, postoperative atrial fibrillation; ECG, electrocardiogram.