Researchers proved that if steroids were given to the cardiac patients after surgery patients survived relatively 63% of the total lot. Out of 241 patients who underwent steroid therapy, the increased chance of stroke fell from 48% to 30%. Patients were given 100-mg hydrocortisone in a randomized manner. Added to this was an oral metoprolol titrated to heart rate.

Jari Halonen, M.D., of Kuopio University Hospital, and colleagues reported “Atrial fibrillation occurrence generally ranges from 20% to 40% after a coronary artery bypass graft and is even higher after valve and combined valve and bypass surgery”, in the April 11 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association.

From medpage today:

Intravenous hydrocortisone after cardiac surgery had a 37% lower relative risk of post-op atrial fibrillation compared with placebo, researchers here reported.

The rate of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery, with its increased likelihood of stroke, fell from 48% to 30%, a reduced relative risk of 37%, when 241 patients were randomized to receive 100-mg hydrocortisone or matching placebo on the evening of the operative day, and then one dose every eight hours for three days.

Afib occurrence generally ranges from 20% to 40% after a coronary artery bypass graft and is even higher after valve and combined valve and bypass surgery, Jari Halonen, M.D., of Kuopio University Hospital, and colleagues reported in the April 11 issue of Journal of the American Medical Association.

To confirm that corticosteroid treatment, large trials were needed large trials were needed. On comparing with the placebo patients, steroid therapy proved to be far more effective in this case. The steroid patients had far less post-op infections or other complications such as mediastinitis, stroke, myocardial infarction, conduction disturbances, or re-sternotomy caused by bleeding or any psychotic disorders occurred in either group.

The studies conclude that this Intravenous Hydrocortisone therapy for patients after having cardiac surgery was effective and well tolerated and reduced the likelihood of atrial fibrillation and other complications when given on the day of operation.

Tags:  Atrial fibrillations, bypass surgery, coronary artery, hydrocortisone, metoprolol, psychotic disorders

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