Atrial Fibrillation Suppression Trial (AFIST)

Introduction

Double-blind, placebo-controlled US study. 220 patients > 60 years of age, all on beta-blocker therapy participants were undergoing open-heart surgery

Oral amiodarone or placebo given either for 6 days beginning 1 day prior to surgery, or for 10 days beginning 5 days prior to surgery

Conclusions:

• amiodarone recipients were less likely to develop atrial fibrillation (22% vs 38%)
• amiodarone recipients experienced fewer post-operative cerebrovascular accidents
• amiodarone recipients experienced fewer post-operative ventricular arrhythmias
• 30 day mortality was not different in the groups
• other adverse effects were similar in the groups
• no differences were found between the 6 & 10 day regimens

More general terms

• clinical trial

Additional terms

• amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone, Ritmocardyl, Rhythmarone, Ancaron)
• atrial fibrillation (AF)
• beta adrenergic receptor antagonist (beta-blocker)