Long-term prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery surgery.
We researched the necessity of quinidine fumarate or acebutolol prophylaxis in patients in whom atrial fibrillation occurred in the postdischarge period and returned to sinus rhythm after coronary artery surgery.


METHODS
Prospective review.


METHODS
Since 1992, 60 patients were chosen in whom atrial fibrillation occurred in early postoperative period. There were no significant differences between them and they were separated into 3 groups. In group I (20 patients) we did not give any drug, in group II (20 patients) quinidine fumarate was given and in group III (20 patients) acebutolol was given and patients were controlled for 90 days.


RESULTS
Atrial fibrillation occurred in one patient in group I, (5%), two in group II (10%) and two in group III (10%), (p < 0.05). Different from the other groups, atrial fibrillation was asymptomatic with low ventricular response in group III.


CONCLUSIONS
There were no significant differences among three groups statistically, so we suggested that long-term prevention of atrial fibrillation with quinidine fumarate or acebutolol was not necessary after coronary artery surgery.
Yilmaz
A T
AT
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Gülhane Military Medical Academy, Ankara, Turkey.
Demirkilic
U
U
Kuralay
E
E
Arslan
M
M
Ciçek
S
S
Ozal
E
E
Bingöl
H
H
Tatar
H
H
Oztürk
O Y
OY
D000070:Acebutolol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005650:Fumarates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011802:Quinidine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D005650:Fumarates; D000070:Acebutolol; D011802:Quinidine