Bisoprolol Versus Corticosteroid and Bisoprolol Combination for Prophylaxis Against Atrial Fibrillation After on Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia that occurs after on pump coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. It is associated with postoperative complications, including increased risk of stroke, prolonged hospital stay and increased costs. Objectives: The aim of this study was to find reliable, effective, safe and well tolerated tools for the prevention of AF after on pump coronary artery bypass surgery. Patients and methods: The study included 176 patients (age range 40 to 79 years) and scheduled for elective on pump CABG operations without concomitant procedures. The patients were divided randomly into two equal groups. Group (A) in which bisoprolol was used for prophylaxis against atrial fibrillation after surgery. Group (B) in which bisoprolol and hydrocortisone were used for prophylaxis against atrial fibrillation after surgery. For each patient, the following data were collected: gender, preoperative diseases, intraoperative cross clamp time, cardiopulmonary bypass time, and Lt internal mammary Artery usage, incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation, death, myocardial infarction chest infection and C - reactive protein levels.