Key result
Prophylactic beta-blockers clearly reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation following coronary bypass surgery, with a number needed to treat of 7.
Why the study?
Do prophylactic beta-blockers reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation in patients following coronary bypass surgery?
Systematic Review
Do prophylactic beta-blockers reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation in patients following coronary bypass surgery?
Number Needed to Treat: 7
Number Needed to Treat: 7
Prophylactic beta-blockers are highly effective in preventing post-operative atrial fibrillation following coronary bypass surgery, with a number needed to treat of 7.
Supports routine prophylaxis after CABG; confirms benefit in Level 1 evidence synthesis.
A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether prophylactic beta-blockers effectively reduces the incidence of atrial fibrillation post-cardiac surgery. Altogether 113 papers were found using the reported search, of which 8 represented the best evidence on this topic. The author, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses were tabulated. We conclude that prophylactic beta-blockers clearly reduce the incidence of AF with a number needed to treat of only seven to prevent one episode of AF. The optimal beta-blocker or the benefits to patients with impaired ejection fraction are less clear.
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Omorphos et al. (2004) conducted a systematic review in Atrial fibrillation post-cardiac surgery. Prophylactic beta-blockers was evaluated on Incidence of atrial fibrillation (NNT 7). Prophylactic beta-blockers clearly reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation following coronary bypass surgery, with a number needed to treat of 7.
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