The median aortic cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary bypass times were 44 (IQR, 39-48) and 62 minutes (IQR, 59-68) for Group I, versus 60.5 (IQR, 55-65) and 82 minutes (IQR, 75-88) for Group II (P=0.001), this difference between groups is statistically significant. 8 patients (20%) in Group I needed inotropic support versus 12 patients (30%) in Group II (P= 0.302), which is not statistically significant. No patients in both groups did need any mechanical support in the form of intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP). None of the patients in both groups had intraoperative ECG changes in the form of ischemia or arrhythmias (Table 5). The AF patients preoperatively in both groups went through several changes in the rhythm and rate intraoperatively before returning to baseline AF again.