What is the optimal medical treatment for stable cardiac surgical patients who go into atrial fibrillation after their operation?
A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was which medical strategy is the optimal treatment for stable patients going into atrial fibrillation post cardiac surgery. Altogether 281 papers were found from medline and 83 from the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using the reported search, of which 12 presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. We conclude that there is very little evidence to support any one strategy over another.
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK. joeldunning@doctors.org.uk
Joel
J
Dunning
Noman
N
Khasati
Brian
B
Prendergast