Key result
Prophylactic oral and intravenous Amiodarone reduces the incidence of post-operative atrial fibrillation, with a number needed to treat of 7.
Why the study?
Does prophylactic Amiodarone safely reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation post-cardiac surgery?
Systematic Review
Does prophylactic Amiodarone safely reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation post-cardiac surgery?
Number Needed to Treat: 7
Number Needed to Treat: 7
Prophylactic administration of oral or intravenous amiodarone is highly effective in preventing post-operative atrial fibrillation in cardiac surgery patients, with an NNT of 7.
Supports routine prophylactic amiodarone in cardiac surgery; strengthens Level 1 evidence for POAF prevention guidelines.
A best evidence topic in cardiac surgery was written according to a structured protocol. The question addressed was whether prophylactic Amiodarone can safely reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) post-cardiac surgery. Altogether 90 papers were found using the reported search, of which 12 presented the best evidence to answer the clinical question. The author, journal, date and country of publication, patient group studied, study type, relevant outcomes, results, and study weaknesses of these papers are tabulated. We conclude that there is strong evidence that both oral and intravenous Amiodarone given prophylactically reduces the incidence of post-operative AF, with a number needed to treat of only seven to prevent an episode of AF.
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Joel Dunning (2004) conducted a systematic review in post-operative atrial fibrillation. Prophylactic Amiodarone was evaluated on incidence of post-operative AF (NNT 7). Prophylactic oral and intravenous Amiodarone reduces the incidence of post-operative atrial fibrillation, with a number needed to treat of 7.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: