Beta-blocker effects on postoperative atrial fibrillation

• Published in: European journal of cardio-thoracic surgery Vol. 11; no. 6; pp. 1154 - 1157
• Main Authors: ALI, I. M, SANALLA, A. A, CLARK, V
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Science B.V 01.06.1997; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists - therapeutic use; Age Factors; Aged; Antiarythmic agents; Atrial Fibrillation - prevention & control; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular system; Coronary Artery Bypass; Female; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Postoperative Complications - prevention & control; Postoperative Period; Prospective Studies; Human; Postoperative; Arrhythmia; Treatment efficiency; Atrial fibrillation; Oral administration; Cardiovascular disease; Antiarrhythmic agent; Coronary heart disease; Excitability disorder; Prevention; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Aortocoronary; Bypass; Surgery; Complication; Beta blocking agent
• ISSN: 1010-7940; 1873-734X
• DOI: 10.1016/S1010-7940(97)01215-3

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether restarting of Beta Blocker followingcardiac surgery would reduce the incidence and the severity of post-operative atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: 210 patients who underwentelective coronary artery bypass grafting were randomized to control (C) (n= 105) and Beta Blockers (BB) (n = 105) groups. Preoperatively all patientswere on one type or another of betablockers. Postoperatively only the (BB)group received the medication. Both groups were well matched and had thesame cardioplegic technique. RESULTS: It was found that; (1) post op (AF)developed in 40 patients of group (C) and in 18 patients of group (BB) Pvalue < 0.02. (2) 73% of (AF) patients in group (C) and 81% in group(BB) were older than 70 years of age. (3) 76% of the (AF) in (BB) groupversus 43% in (C) group were converted to sinus rhythm or to a stablecontrolled rhythm within 24 h or less. P value < 0.01. CONCLUSIONS: Theresults indicate that restarting the Beta Blockers in the post-operativeperiod after coronary bypass grafts significantly control the incidence andthe severity of atrial fibrillation. Also it confirms the strong relationbetween the older age and (AF) occurrence.