Does prophylactic low-dose amiodarone decrease the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass graft surgery? A randomized controlled trial

Background Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) occurs within 1 to 5 days after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), with a peak occurrence on the second day. This research aimed to assess the role of dose-low amiodarone in the prevention of POAF after CABG. Methods This randomized controlled blind-single study was carried out on 150 patients undergoing elective CABG with sinus rhythm. Cases were randomized into two equal groups. The placebo group received matching placebo tablets. The amiodarone group received a prophylactic oral amiodarone 5 mg/kg/day for 6 days before and 6 days after surgery. Results The incidence of POAF was significantly lower in the amiodarone group compared to the placebo group (16% vs 33.3%, P = 0.013) with a relative risk of 0.48 times (95% confidence interval: 0.26–0.88). The onset of POAF, percent of patients responded to medication, and time elapsed to respond to medication were insignificantly different between both groups. The mean (± SD) of ICU stay was 2.51 ± 1.11 days in the amiodarone group versus 3.31 ± 1.83 days in the placebo group, and the mean (± SD) of hospital stay duration was 10 ± 1.99 days in the amiodarone group versus 12.72 ± 2.23 days in the placebo group. The length of ICU admission and hospital stay was significantly lower in the amiodarone group than in the placebo group ( P = 0.002 and < 0.001, respectively). Conclusions Low-dose oral amiodarone was effective in POAF prevention after CABG with a lower length of ICU admission and hospital stay. Trial registration Pan African Clinical Trials Register PACTR202101651961317. Registered on 21 January 2021