Amiodarone protects diabetics and non-diabetics undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting equally.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate amiodarone prophylaxis in diabetics and non-diabetics. Further to clarify whether the risk of developing atrial fibrillation is higher for diabetics than non-diabetic patients, and to evaluate whether the diabetic status has any influence on the length of in-hospital stay.


METHODS
Subgroup analysis within a randomized, controlled, double-blinded trial.


RESULTS
At 30 days of follow-up atrial fibrillation was equally frequent among diabetics (22%) and non-diabetics (17%) (p =0.41). The length of in-hospital stay for diabetics was prolonged with 25% (9%; 45%). The prophylactic amiodarone was found equally efficient in diabetics and non-diabetics, as the relative risk ratios were 1.2 (0.4-5.4) and 2.0 (0.3-12.5), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Diabetics and non-diabetics had the same effect of the amiodarone prophylaxis regime. Atrial fibrillation developed equally among diabetics and non-diabetics, but the length of stay was prolonged for diabetics.
Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery & Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aarhus University Hospital, Skejby, Aarhus N, Denmark. LRZ@post.tele.dk
Lars R
LR
Zebis
Thomas D
TD
Christensen
Henrik F
HF
Thomsen
Vibeke E
VE
Hjortdal
D000368:Aged; D000638:Amiodarone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000601:surgery*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D000638:Amiodarone