Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common serious complications occurring after thoracic surgery and is the most common perioperative cardiac arrhythmia. The incidence of perioperative AF in patients undergoing major thoracic surgery ranges from 10% in low-risk patients to as high as 20% in high-risk patients. The course of patients with perioperative AF is frequently complicated by hemodynamic instability, problems with managing anticoagulation in the early postoperative period, prolonged intensive care unit and hospital stays, and increased costs. Patients who develop perioperative AF (POAF) also have a significantly increased risk of death and stroke.