Comparison of Effects of Amiodarone versus Verapamil in Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation Post Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia affecting humans. The initiation of AF may be caused by rapidly firing foci, in the pulmonary vein(s). Although the atrial rate is rapid,the ventricular response depends on atrioventricular (AV) node conduction and the autonomic tone conductivity of AV node. Aim of the work: to compare to compare effects of amiodarone and verapamil in prevention of atrial fibrillation post coronary artery bypass graft in patients with dilated left atrium. Patients and Methods: This study was carried out on 300 patients with dilated left atrium (more than 5mm in diameter) undergoing CABG surgery after approval of the medical ethical committee of Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University and obtaining informed written consent from all studied patients. Results: The rate effects of amiodarone a prevention of atrial fibrillation post coronary artery bypass is 24%. On the other hand, success rate effects of verapamil in prevention of atrial fibrillation post coronary artery bypass is 38%. The results of our study showed the superiority of amiodarone (p-value was significant =0.019) in prevention of atrial fibrillation post coronary artery than verapamil (p-value was significant =0.032). Also The results of our study showed the superiority of amiodarone group (A) (p-value was significant =0.022) in to decrease length of hospital stay significant fewer days than those in the Verapamil group (B) and placebo group (C).