Atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: update on the evidence on the available prophylactic interventions.
Post-operative atrial fibrillation is very common. It is associated with increased length of ICU and hospital stay, and costs of post-operative care of patients after cardiac surgery. More then seventy trials on the pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions were conducted since 1970's. Meta-analysis of these trials, together with detailed analysis of the largest of these trials suggested that conventional beta-blockers, sotalol, amiodarone and bi-atrial overdrive pacing are effective in prevention of post-operative atrial fibrillation. Amiodarone and bi-atrial pacing may decrease the length of hospital stay.
Crystal
Eugene
E
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. eugene.crystal@sw.ca
Healey
Jeff
J
Connolly
Stuart J
SJ
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007902:Length of Stay; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013015:Sotalol / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D013015:Sotalol; D000638:Amiodarone