GLP-1 Drug Use Before Heart Bypass Surgery Reduces Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation | Research

The takeaway

Preoperative GLP-1 RA use in CABG patients was associated with significantly lower post-operative atrial fibrillation (14% vs 22%, p=0.02) without increased mortality or MACCE.

14% vs 22% AF
CABG patients on GLP-1 drugs had significantly less post-operative atrial fibrillation than non-users

What the researchers found

GLP-1 use associated with lower post-operative AF (14% vs 22%, p=0.02) in CABG patients. No significant difference in all-cause mortality or MACCE. Similar overall length of stay.

Why it matters

Post-operative AF increases stroke risk, ICU stays, and costs after heart surgery. A 36% relative reduction from a preoperative medication is clinically meaningful.

How the study worked

Retrospective analysis of prospectively maintained cardiac surgery database (2010-2024), 4,170 CABG patients with medication data, 165 GLP-1 users, multivariable Cox regression with random forest variable selection.

What this study cannot tell us

Observational, small GLP-1 user group (165), single-center database. Cannot determine if GLP-1 drugs directly prevent AF or if user characteristics contribute.

How to read the evidence

Retrospective single-center study with small GLP-1 group. Interesting signal needing prospective confirmation.

When this study was published

Published in 2025.

The bigger picture

GLP-1 drugs may offer perioperative cardioprotection through anti-inflammatory mechanisms, adding to their growing list of cardiovascular benefits.

Questions still open

Should GLP-1 drugs be started preoperatively in CABG patients to prevent AF?
What is the mechanism of GLP-1-mediated AF reduction?
Would a prospective trial confirm this finding?

Common questions

Should I keep taking my GLP-1 drug before heart surgery?

This study suggests yes — CABG patients on GLP-1 drugs had significantly less atrial fibrillation after surgery without increased mortality. Discuss perioperative management with your surgeon.

How could GLP-1 drugs prevent heart rhythm problems?

GLP-1 drugs have anti-inflammatory properties that may protect the heart during the stress of surgery. Inflammation is a key trigger for atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.

Read the original research

Association of GLP-1 Inhibitors with Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.

The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Hasan, Irsa; Bessette, Lily G; Jacquemyn, Xander; Wang, Yisi; Subramaniam, Kathir; Hasan, Zain; Thoma, Floyd; Ogami, Takuya; Bonatti, Johannes; Kaczorowski, David; Chu, Danny; Serna-Gallegos, Derek; Sultan, Ibrahim. (2026). Association of GLP-1 Inhibitors with Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery.. The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2026.02.005