title: Postoperative atrial fibrillation prophylaxis after lung surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation after thoracic surgery is frequent and increases morbidity and mortality. A number of trials have investigated medical prophylaxis for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after surgery for lung cancer. However, the literature is diverse and hence difficult to review. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of reducing the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation by the use of medical prophylaxis in patients undergoing surgery for lung cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials investigating prophylactic medical interventions to reduce the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total number of 10 trials were identified. A significant reduction in the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation was found with a relative risk of 0.53 (95% confidence interval, 0.42 to 0.67) and a number needed-to-treat of 8.5 (95% confidence interval, 6.4 to 13.3). Amiodarone was found to be the most effective prophylactic agent with a relative risk of 0.32 (95% confidence interval, 0.19 to 0.50) and a number needed-to-treat of 4.8 (95% confidence interval, 3.7 to 7.6) and regarded as safe, with no severe adverse events registered. The risk of atrial fibrillation was overall reduced from 25.1% to 13.4% (p < 0.001) and for amiodarone as a single therapy from 30.4% to 9.6% (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Medical prophylaxis with calcium-channel blockers, magnesium sulfate, or amiodarone significantly reduces the risk of developing atrial fibrillation after lung reduction surgery. However, amiodarone and magnesium sulfate were the most effective and safest drugs causing no increased risk of adverse events.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery & Institute of Clinical Medicine, Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark. Electronic address: larspeterriber@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Lars Peter
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Riber
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Aalborg, Denmark; Aalborg Thrombosis Research Centre, Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Torben Bjerregaard
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Larsen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery & Institute of Clinical Medicine, Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
authors.forename: Thomas Decker
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Christensen
mesh_terms: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D011013:Pneumonectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents