Comparing efficacy of ibutilide and amiodarone for cardioversion in atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting- A prospective and randomized study

Ibutilideis less frequently used drug for atrial fibrillation (AF) in postoperative coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) patients as compare to amiodarone. We therefore investigated the comparative efficacy of ibutilde and amiodarone for cardioversion in atrial fibrillation after CABG. To compare the efficacy of ibutilide and amiodarone for cardioversion of AF in post CABG patients. Narayana Multispeciality Hospital, Jaipur. Single center, randomized, double blind, comparative prospective study. Total 80 post CABG patients who developed AF were divided into two groups (Group A) Ibutilde and (Group B) Amiodarone respectively. The cardioversion time and cardioversion rate were measured. Unpaired t-test, Paired t-test, Chi square test / Fisher exact test. P value <0.05 The cardioversion rate at 4hrs in group A was 42.5% and in group B was 50% (p value > 0.001). At 24 hrs cardioversion rate in group A was 95% and in group B was 87.5% (p value > 0.001). The mean time of conversion to sinus rhythm in group A was 382.85 minutes and in group B was 492.30 minutes. (p value= 0.235) Ibutilide was as effective as amiodarone for restoration of sinus rhythm in postoperative coronary bypass grafting patients who developed atrial fibrillation in their postoperative intensive care unit stay. Ibutilide may be superior to amiodarone in terms of hemodynamics and systemic side effects.