Pragmatic Amiodarone Trial to Reduce Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery (PATRONUS)

Pragmatic Amiodarone Trial to Reduce Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Pragmatic Amiodarone Trial to Reduce Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Postoperative atrial fibrillation is quite common after cardiac surgery with up to 1 in 3 patients experiencing this abnormal heart rhythm. Amiodarone, a medication commonly used to treat atrial fibrillation, has been previously shown to be an effective prophylactic agent at decreasing the occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass surgery. However, despite many studies which have demonstrated its effectiveness, it has not been widely used due to the concern of side effects that can occur such as slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and lung toxicity. We have designed a study to test the effectiveness and safety of a short course of postoperative prophylactic amiodarone for patients undergoing non-coronary artery bypass cardiac surgery. We hypothesize that patients who receive the prophylactic amiodarone will have decreased rates of postoperative atrial fibrillation without significantly increased side effects compared to patients who receive the standard postoperative care after non-coronary artery bypass cardiac surgery.

In addition to the regular care provided to cardiac surgery patients, those in the Amiodarone Arm will also receive the amiodarone regimen.

Patients randomized to the Standard of Care Arm will receive the regular care provided to cardiac surgery patients.

The occurrence of postoperative atrial fibrillation detected by continuous telemetry, 12-lead electrocardiogram, and/or continuous ambulatory monitoring device through postoperative day 7.

Whether the patient required electrical cardioversion for hemodynamically unstable atrial fibrillation

Myocardial infarction diagnosed based on ECG and laboratory testing including pursued intervention and/or findings from subsequent angiography will be compared between intervention groups. To be considered a myocardial infarction, the diagnosis will have to be confirmed and documented in the chart by a board-certified cardiologist.

The postoperative length of stay will be calculated starting from the end of the procedure to time of discharge.

Rates of hospital readmission will be estimated for patients in each of the study intervention groups. Readmissions will be counted in this calculation if patients are admitted to the hospital. Emergency room visits without admission and outpatient visits will not count toward this calculation of readmission rates.

Clinical diagnosis of amiodarone-related pulmonary toxicity that uses a combination of x-ray findings consistent with known amiodarone-related pulmonary toxicity and clinical findings including shortness of breath, non-productive cough, and other diagnoses have been excluded.

Inclusion Criteria: >= 18 years of age All genders All non-coronary artery bypass cardiac surgery patients Preoperative normal sinus rhythm Exclusion Criteria: Pre-existing atrial fibrillation or atrial arrhythmias Pre-existing heart block Cardiogenic shock Sick sinus syndrome Marked sinus bradycardia Preoperative amiodarone use Contraindication to amiodarone use PR interval > 240 ms QTc > 550 ms 2nd or 3rd degree heart block Liver impairment (INR > 1.7, AST/ALT > 2x normal) Uncontrolled hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism Interstitial lung disease Pregnancy and/or breastfeeding Known hypersensitivity to any components of amiodarone, including iodine Emergent operation Planned MAZE or Pulmonary Vein Isolation procedure

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