Short Term Anti-aRrhythmic Therapy for Post-Operative AF in Cardiac Surgery Patients Pilot Trial (START-POAF)

Inclusion Criteria: Aged ≥18 years; Have undergone cardiac surgery including CABG, valve surgery, ascending aorta replacement, or combinations thereof within 14 days of randomization; Had new-onset POAF (or flutter), documented by 12-lead ECG or lasting ≥ 1 hour on telemetry. Patients can be in AF or sinus rhythm at the time of randomization; Expected to receive 3 g - 5 g of amiodarone loading dose post-surgery. Expected to be ready for hospital discharge within 48 h of randomization. Exclusion Criteria: Documented preoperative history of paroxysmal, persistent or permanent AF; Planned use of a class I or III anti-arrhythmic drug (other than study drug); Patients who have undergone heart transplant, complex congenital heart surgery, isolated ventricular assist device insertion, or AF ablation (surgical or catheter); Known allergy to ECG adhesives; Contraindication to amiodarone (i.e. hyperthyroidism, severe restrictive or obstructive lung disease, Long QT syndrome, PR > 240 ms, high-grade AV block). Individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or of childbearing potential - female subjects, premenopausal who are not surgically sterile, or, if sexually active not practicing an effective method of birth control (e.g., prescription oral contraceptives, contraceptive injections, intrauterine device, double-barrier method, contraceptive patch, male partner sterilization) before entry and throughout the study; and, for those of childbearing potential, who have a positive pregnancy test at screening