Nebivolol in preventing atrial fibrillation following coronary surgery in patients over 60 years of age

Objective

Postoperative atrial fibrillation is a common complication after cardiac surgery,with an incidence as high as 20-50%. Increased age is associated with asignificant increase in postoperative atrial fibrillation risk. This commoncomplication is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates. The aim ofthis study was to assess the efficacy of nebivolol in preventing atrialfibrillation following coronary artery bypass surgery in patients over 60 years ofage.

Methods

In this prospective randomized study, 200 patients who were candidates forelective coronary artery bypass surgery were divided into two groups. The firstgroup was administered with nebivolol and the second group was administered withmetoprolol. Treatment was initiated four days prior to surgery, and patients weremonitored for atrial fibrillation until discharge. Forty-one patients recieved 50mg metoprolol succinate daily, which was initiated minimum 4 days beforesurgery.

Results

Demographic data were similar in both groups. The incidence of postoperativeatrial fibrillation in both groups was similar, with no significant differencebeing identified [n=20 (20%); n=18 (18%), P=0.718; respectively].There were not any mortality at both groups during study. Inotropic agentrequirement at ICU was similar for both groups [n=12 (12%), n=18 (18%),P=0.32].

Conclusion

We compared the effectiveness of nebivolol and metoprolol in decreasing theincidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation, and determined that nebivolol wasas effective as metoprolol in preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation atpatients. Nebivolol may be the drug of choice due to its effects, especially afterelective coronary artery bypass surgery.