title: Amiodarone versus digoxin and metoprolol combination for the prevention of postcoronary bypass atrial fibrillation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This prospective randomized study aims at evaluation and comparison of the prophylactic effects of amiodarone versus digoxin and metoprolol combination in postcoronary bypass atrial fibrillation.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 241 consecutive patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly allocated into three groups. Patients in Group1 (n=77) received metoprolol 100 mg/24 h per oral (P.O.), preoperatively, 2x0.5 mg digoxin intravenously on the operating day and digoxin 0.25 mg P.O.+metoprolol 100 mg P.O. on the first postoperative day until discharge. Patients in Group 2 (n=72) received totally 1200 mg intravenous/24 h amiodarone which the 300 mg - bolus dose/1 h was given as soon as the operation had been finished. On the next day patients were administered 450 mg/24 h amiodarone i.v. and 600 mg/day in three doses P.O. were given until discharge. Group 3 (n=92) was the control group with no antiarrhythmic prophylaxis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperative patient characteristics and operative parameters were similar in three groups. Atrial fibrillation occurred in 13 patients (16.8%) in Group 1, six patients (8.3%) in Group 2 and 31 patients (33.6%) in Group 3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both study groups were effective in the prevention of postcoronary bypass atrial fibrillation with respect to control (P<0.01 in Group 1 and P<0.001 in Group 2).
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Bayindir Hospital, 5. cad. No: 15/5 Bahcelievler, Ankara 06500, Turkey. tokmakoglu@isnet.net.tr
authors.forename: Hilmi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tokmakoglu
authors.forename: Ozer
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kandemir
authors.forename: Serdar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gunaydin
authors.forename: Zeki
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Catav
authors.forename: Cem
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Yorgancioglu
authors.forename: Yaman
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zorlutuna
mesh_terms: D000638:Amiodarone / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D004077:Digoxin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008790:Metoprolol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D004077:Digoxin; D008790:Metoprolol; D000638:Amiodarone