title: Prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery using a potassium-magnesium-aspartate solution (Inzolen).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation (AFIB) following cardiac surgery is a frequent complication. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of a potassium-magnesium-aspartate solution (Inzolen) for the prevention of AFIB.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a randomised, prospective, double-blinded study, we studied 88 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). After surgery, patients were allocated randomly to one of two groups. Group A (n = 43) received a potassium-magnesium-aspartate solution (Inzolen), group B (n = 45) received potassium chloride; both solutions were administered continuously for 48 hours to keep the potassium serum levels between 4.5 and 5.5 mmol/l. Patients were observed for 5 days postoperatively and the incidence of atrial fibrillation was noted. At the end of surgery (T0), 4 h (T1), 24 h (T2), 48 h (T3), and 120 h (T4) postoperatively, magnesium and potassium serum levels were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The two groups did not differ significantly with regard to demographics and perioperative data. No significant difference in the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation was seen (group A: 41.9 % vs. group B 31.1 %; P = 0.53). In group A, the magnesium serum levels were significantly higher at T1 (1.15 +/- 0.18 vs. 0.87 +/- 0.11 mmol/l), T2 (1.24 +/- 0.22 vs. 0.82 +/- 0.10 mmol/l) and T3 (1.15 +/- 0.18 vs. 0.81 +/- 0.20 mmol/l) compared to group B, whereas potassium levels were similar in the two groups throughout the study period.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of a potassium-magnesium-aspartate solution (Inzolen) showed no significant difference in potassium chloride for the prophylaxis of postoperative atrial fibrillation secondary to CABG.
authors: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine, Klinikum Ludwigshafen, Ludwigshafen, Germany. swen.n.piper@t-online.de
authors: S N
authors: SN
authors: Piper
authors: A-H
authors: AH
authors: Kiessling
authors: S W
authors: SW
authors: Suttner
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ducke
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Boldt
authors: K D
authors: KD
authors: Röhm