Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Prophylactic amiodarone for prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis
Sean M Bagshaw1, P Diane Galbraith, L Brent Mitchell
1Department of Critical Care Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Department of Intensive Care, Austin Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Abstract:
Amiodarone has been proposed to decrease atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery. The literature was systematically reviewed for randomized trials comparing amiodarone with control for prevention of atrial fibrillation. Data were extracted on study characteristics, quality, and incidence of atrial fibrillation, cardiovascular outcomes, and length of hospitalization. Nineteen trials were included. Amiodarone reduced the odds ratio of atrial fibrillation (0.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.43 to 0.59, p < 0.0001), ventricular tachyarrhythmias (0.39; 95% CI: 0.26 to 0.58, p < 0.0001), and strokes (0.53; 95% CI: 0.30 to 0.92, p = 0.02). Amiodarone reduced hospital stay (0.6 days; 95% CI: 0.4 to 0.8, p < 0.0001). Amiodarone decreased atrial fibrillation, reduced perioperative ventricular tachyarrhythmias and strokes, and reduced duration of hospitalization. The current evidence supports recommending the routine use of perioperative amiodarone for cardiac surgery.
Related Concept Videos
Cardiomyopathy VII: Pre and Post Operative Nursing Management
Dysrhythmias VI: Management of Dysrhythmias
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class III Agents as Potassium Channel Blockers
Antiarrhythmic Drugs: Class I Agents as Sodium Channel Blockers
Class 1A Antiarrhythmic Drugs: These drugs work by moderately blocking sodium channels,...
Aneurysm IV: Nursing Management
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

