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A Pharmaco-surgical Approach to Reduce Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery

Active, not recruiting
Conditions
Atrial Fibrillation New Onset
Interventions
Other: Prophylactic amiodarone and posterior pericardiotomy
Registration Number
NCT05780320
Lead Sponsor
Massachusetts General Hospital
Brief Summary

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a common complication following cardiac surgery with an estimated incidence around 35%. It has been found to be an independent predictor of 30-day and 6-month mortality, stroke, renal failure, respiratory failure, and need for permanent pacemaker among others. Previous studies including meta-analyses demonstrate a protective benefit of prophylactic amiodarone to decrease the risk of POAF. However, this has not been widely adopted, and recent society guidelines only give prophylactic amiodarone a Class IIA recommendation, citing risk of amiodarone-related toxicity and hypotension as reasons for the Class IIA recommendation. A meta-analysis comparing cumulative doses of amiodarone found that moderate to higher doses of amiodarone have a marginally increased benefit in reducing the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation over lower doses; however, the study did not assess risk of complications stratified by cumulative doses, which has been previously described. Finally, a recent meta-analysis showed that a posterior pericardiotomy was highly effective at reducing postoperative atrial fibrillation. Consequently, the investigators' institution has adopted a pharmaco-surgical approach (prophylactic amiodarone and posterior pericardiotomy) in an effort to reduce postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass cardiac surgery for all patients who meet inclusion/exclusion criteria.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
242
Inclusion Criteria
  • Preoperative normal sinus rhythm
  • Procedures:
  • CABG
  • CABG + concomitant valve or aortic replacement/repair
Exclusion Criteria
  • Emergent operation

Procedures:

  • MAZE or PVI performed
  • Isolated valve replacement or repair
  • Isolated aortic procedures
  • Heart transplant
  • Lung transplant Pre-existing atrial arrhythmias Pre-operative amiodarone use Contraindications to amiodarone use
  • PR interval > 240 ms
  • 2nd or 3rd degree heart block
  • QTc > 550ms
  • 2nd or 3rd degree heart block
  • Liver impairment (INR > 1.7, AST/ALT > 2x normal)
  • Uncontrolled hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism
  • Interstitial lung disease
  • Allergy to amiodarone

Study & Design

Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Study Design
Not specified
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Pharmaco-Surgical ArmProphylactic amiodarone and posterior pericardiotomy-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Postoperative atrial fibrillationPrior to patient discharge or within 30 days after surgery.

At least 1 minute duration detected by continuous telemetry or 12-lead electrocardiogram.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
StrokeEither in-hospital or within 30 days of procedure

Characterized by deficits lasting \> 24 hours and/or imaging findings of infarction

Persistence of atrial fibrillation at dischargeAt postoperative surgical visit (around 4-6 weeks)

Atrial fibrillation as diagnosed by final ECG

Postoperative hospital length of stayUp to 90 days

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

Transient ischemic attackEither in-hospital or within 30 days of procedure

Characterized by examination findings lasting \< 24 hours without associated imaging findings

Symptomatic bradycardiaEither in-hospital or within 30 days of procedure

Symptomatic bradycardia (HR \< 55 bpm) requiring intervention

Operative mortalityEither in-hospital death or death within 30 days of discharge

Operative mortality as defined by either in-hospital death or death within 30 days of discharge.

ReadmissionWithin 30 days of procedure

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.

Initiation of systemic anticoagulationEither in-hospital or within 30 days of procedure

New indication of systemic anticoagulation for stroke prophylaxis due to atrial fibrillation

Postoperative pleural effusions requiring interventionEither in-hospital or within 30 days of procedure

Postoperative pleural effusions requiring interventions including thoracostomy drainage or surgical drainage

Number of patients with Amiodarone-related pulmonary toxicityEither in-hospital or within 30 days of procedure

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.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Massachusetts General Hospital

🇺🇸

Boston, Massachusetts, United States

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