Influence of Vitamin C on Post-operative Atrial Fibrillation

Post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is the most common arrhythmia which typically develops 2-3 days after cardiac surgery. The incidence of POAF variates between 10% and 65% depending on the type of cardiac surgery and is especially high in patients which underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) and heart valve surgery. POAF is associated with increased morbidity and mortality and has a major impact on hospital resources. The precise pathogenesis of POAF is very complex, but several studies have demonstrated an association between inflammation, oxidative stress and POAF. Since this oxidative stress may be reduced by dietary anti-oxidantia such as vitamin C, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of oral vitamin C administration of the incidence of POAF.