Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access

Perioperative Intravenous Corticosteroids Reduce incidence of Atrial Fibrillation Following Cardiac Surgery - A randomized, double blinded placebocontrolled study

2^nd International Conference on Clinical Research Cardiology, Ophthalmology & Dermatology

5-7 March 2012 Omaha Marriott, USA

Abbaszadeh M, Mehrani F, Hussain khan Z

Posters: J Clinic Experiment Cardiol

Abstract :

Objective: Corticosteroids decrease side effects after noncardiac elective surgery. We designed this randomized, double blinded, placebo- controlled study to test the hypothesis that standard doses of dexamethasone (6�2) would decrease the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF)following cardiac surgery. Methods: A total of 185 patients undergoing coronary revascularization surgery were enrolled in thisclinical study. The anesthetic management was standardized in all patients. Dexamethasone (6mg/mL) or saline (1mL) was administered after the induction of anesthesia and a second dose of the same study drug was given on the morning after surgery. The incidence of (AF) was determined by analyzing the first 72 h of continuously recorded electrocardiogram records after cardiac surgery, to determine the incidence and severity of postoperative side effects. Results: The incidence of 48 h postoperative AF was significantly lower in the Dexamethasone group (21/92[37.5%]) than in the placebo group (35/92 [62.5%], adjusted hazard ratio, 2.07; 95% confidence interval, 1.09-3.95; p= (P<0.05). Compared with placebo, patients receiving hydrocortisone did not have higher rates of superficial or deep wound infections, or other major complications. Conclusions: prophylactic short- term dexamethasone administration in patients undergoing coronary artery bypasses grafting significantly reduced postoperative atrial fibrillation