The Impact of Oral Vitamin C in Prevention for Post Operative Atrial Fibrillation (POAF) in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG) Patients

The Impact of Oral Vitamin C in Prevention for Post Operative Atrial Fibrillation (POAF) in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery (CABG) Patients

Post Operative Atril Fibrillation : The Impact of Oral Vitamin C in Reducing the Risk in Egyptian CABG Patients

Post operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is one of the most common complications that takes place worldwide after coronary artery bypass surgeries (CABG). Many studies suggest using vitamin C as an additional treatment alongside standard therapies, such as statins and β-blockers, to reduce the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in patients undergoing (CABG). Supplemental therapy with vitamin C may provide a more robust preventive effect against POAF compared to using statins and β-blockers due to its strong antioxidant effect. This implies that vitamin C can enhance the effectiveness of those medications used for POAF prevention by decreasing oxidative stress induced by the surgery. There are conflicting data on whether or not vitamin C as an antioxidant has a protective effect against postoperative atrial fibrillation and has a significant role in shortening length of ICU and hospital stay . Even in those studies that show positive relationship of vitamin C in AF prevention, there is a diversity in the dosing regimen of vitamin C used among those previous studies. To the best of our knowledge, most researches were conducted predominantly within a single geographic region, such as Iran, this raises the concerns about the potential bias and limits our ability to apply the findings to a broader global population. Here, the investigators aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin C supplementation and to figure out which dose of vitamin C will prevent post-operative AF and decrease complications such as hospital stay, pneumonia and surgical site infection among older Egyptian adults.

The study was double blinded were Participant (patients), Care Provider (nurses, cardiac surgeons, and ICU physicians) were blinded but the outcome assessors (clinical pharmacist) who collect data were not blinded

A sixty CABG patients commenced on maximum tolerated dose of b-blocker, statins & vitamin C 500 mg (2 g-daily in 4 divided doses) started one day before operation till the end of hospital stay or development of post operative atrial fibrillation

A sixty CABG patients commenced on maximum tolerated dose of b-blocker, statins, vitamin C 500 mg (1 g-daily in 2 divided doses) and also received 2 capsules containing starch to be completely equivalent in frequency to the other groups. the intervention started one day before operation till the end of hospital stay or development of post operative atrial fibrillation.

A sixty CABG Patients commenced on maximum tolerated dose of b-blocker, statins and placebo capsules containing starch mimic vitamin C capsules was taken every 6 hrs. The placebo capsules were prepared in the same shape and size as the original ones manufactured by the same pharmaceutical company. the intervention started one day before operation till the end of hospital stay or development of post operative atrial fibrillation.

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) incidence in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass (CABG) surgery through the administration of vitamin C supplementation compared to placebo group

Evaluate the effectiveness of perioperative oral vitamin C in prevention for post operative AF following elective on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery in old adult Egyptian. patients during hospital stay.

Quantify the effective dose of perioperative oral vitamin C on the incidence of the POAF during hospital stay following elective on-pump CABG surgery in old adult Egyptian patients.

Estimate the impact of of perioperative oral vitamin C supplementation on hospital length of stay following elective on-pump CABG surgery in old adult Egyptian patients.

Inclusion criteria: Patients who underwent elective isolated on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery Age: 50 to 70 years No history of Coronary artery by pass surgery Taking maximum tolerated beta-blocker before and after surgery Normal left atrium and left ventricle dimensions Exclusion Criteria: preoperative history of Atrial fibrilliation permanent pacemaker or significant bradycardia Hyperoxaluria or history of nephrolithiasis Left ventricular ejection fraction < 40% Contraindications to beta-blocker or vitamin C. Patients with history of vitamin C consumption before surgery. Chronic kidney disease with creatinine >2 mg/dl.