Use of Amiodarone to Prevent Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery

In the United States, more than 600000 patients undergo cardiac surgery annually.¹ Atrial fibrillation is the most common arrhythmia after cardiac surgery and is estimated to occur in 10% to 50% of all cardiac surgery patients, with a higher incidence in elderly patients and patients undergoing valve surgery.^2,–5 Postoperative atrial fibrillation is often well tolerated and usually resolves on its own within 6 to 8 weeks after surgery, but it does increase the risk for various complications, including thromboembolic events and ventricular arrhythmias that can compromise hemodynamic status or cause acute congestive heart failure.⁶ Atrial fibrillation may also precipitate postoperative myocardial ischemia and necessitate placement of a permanent pacemaker.⁷ Furthermore, patients who experience atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery have longer hospital stays and higher healthcare costs than do patients who do not have this arrhythmia.^7,–9 These differences are due...