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Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2013; 61(04): 365-372
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1311537
Original Thoracic
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Comparative Efficacy and Usefulness of Acebutolol and Diltiazem for the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation during Perioperative Time in Patients Undergoing Pulmonary Resection

Pawel Ciszewski
1   Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
,
Joanna Tyczka
1   Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
,
Jacek Nadolski
1   Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
,
Magdalena Roszak
2   Department of Computer Science and Statistics, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
,
Wojciech Dyszkiewicz
3   Department of Thoracic Surgery, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznan, Poland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

10 November 2011

12 February 2012

Publication Date:
10 October 2012 (online)

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Abstract

Background Postthoracic surgery atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequently occurring arrhythmia. Strategies for preventing AF have been amply evaluated, but currently there are no clearly defined guidelines for treatment of AF after thoracic surgery.

Methods The study was prospective and randomized controlled trial. Acebutolol and diltiazem versus placebo were compared, among 117 patients postpneumonectomy or lobectomy at the Thoracosurgery Clinic, Poznan University of Medical Sciences in Poland. Patients who were enrolled in the study were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: those who received acebutolol (Group 1) or diltiazem (Group 2) and compared with patients without antiarrhythmic drugs (Group 0). Each group consisted of 39 patients. The patients were continuously monitored postoperatively with 24 ECG (Holter monitor) in the intensive care unit.

Results In patients receiving acebutolol AF occurred in 5% compared with 23% of patients receiving diltiazem and 20% of patients receiving placebo (difference not statistically significant).

Conclusions Acebutolol and diltiazem appear to have been non-effective for the treatment or prevention of AF. Side effects were mild. In comparison to diltiazem, however, acebutolol had a beneficial effect on the circulatory system. Patients who had received acebutolol proved to have had fewer tachycardia episodes and supraventricular ectopy during the postoperative period. It seems that acebutolol can be useful, especially in patients with sympathetic activity dominance.

Keywords

atrial fibrillation - thoracic surgery - arrhythmia - acebutolol - diltiazem
 

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