Selective versus non-selective antiarrhythmic approach for prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary surgery: is there a need for pre-operative risk stratification? A prospective placebo-controlled study using low-dose sotalol.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the advantages of 'selective' over 'non-selective' antiarrhythmic prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary surgery based on a new risk prediction algorithm.


RESULTS
In a retrospective analysis of a prospective randomized trial, a model for risk prediction was determined based on clinical data of the control group (A; n = 107) and tested in a test group (B; n = 107, treated with low dose sotalol). Using this algorithm, the effect of a 'selective' antiarrhythmic approach in high-risk patients was compared to a 'non-selective' approach, where all patients were treated. In total, 75 (35%) patients developed atrial fibrillation and 14 (7%) side-effects led to discontinuation of study medication. Based on the risk prediction algorithm, 36% of group A patients were classified as high-risk patients with an incidence of atrial fibrillation of 76% compared to 26% in low-risk patients (P < 0.0001). The selective approach, i.e. treatment of high-risk patients only reduced the incidence of atrial fibrillation from 76% to 50% (P = 0.0295) compared to a reduction from 44% to 26% (P = 0.0065) when all patients were treated. More importantly, with the non-selective approach 100% of patients were exposed to the possible side-effects of sotalol and costs compared to 24% only with the selective approach (P < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, a selective approach based on a clinical risk prediction algorithm should improve the cost-effectiveness and safety of low-dose sotalol in the prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary bypass surgery.
Weber
U K
UK
Department of Internal Medicine, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
Osswald
S
S
Huber
M
M
Buser
P
P
Skarvan
K
K
Stulz
P
P
Schmidhauser
C
C
Pfisterer
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004562:Electrocardiography / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013015:Sotalol / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D013015:Sotalol