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  • Title: A beta-blocker, not magnesium, is effective prophylaxis for atrial tachyarrhythmias after coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
    Author: Bert AA, Reinert SE, Singh AK.
    Journal: J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth; 2001 Apr; 15(2):204-9. PubMed ID: 11312480.
    Abstract:
    OBJECTIVE: To evaluate magnesium as a sole or adjuvant agent with currently used prophylactic drugs in suppressing postoperative atrial tachyarrhythmias (POAT) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. DESIGN: Single-center prospective, randomized clinical trial. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (n = 400) undergoing CABG surgery. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomized among 6 prophylaxis regimens: (1) control (no antiarrhythmics), (2) magnesium only, (3) digoxin only, (4) magnesium and digoxin, (5) propranolol only, and (6) magnesium and propranolol. Patients randomized to a regimen including magnesium received 12 g given during 96 hours postoperatively. Patients in a digoxin regimen received 1 mg after cardiopulmonary bypass and 0.25 mg daily. Patients in a propranolol regimen received 1 mg intravenously every 6 hours until able to take 10 mg orally 4 times a day. Prophylaxis regimens were discontinued after 4 days postoperatively. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The primary outcome was a sustained POAT or discharge from the hospital. Control patients had an incidence of POAT (38%) not significantly different from patients in magnesium-only (38%), digoxin-only (31%), and magnesium with digoxin (37%) regimens. Patients treated with propranolol had a significant reduction in POAT. Nearly identical POAT rates in the propranolol-only (18%) and propranolol with magnesium (19%) groups support the lack of efficacy of magnesium in this trial. Study design allowed analysis of and showed a beta-blocker withdrawal effect in addition to suppressive benefit of postoperative beta-blockers. CONCLUSION: beta-Blocker prophylaxis is indicated to reduce the incidence of POAT in CABG surgery patients and to prevent a beta-blocker withdrawal effect in patients receiving these medications preoperatively. Digoxin and magnesium as sole or adjuvant agents do not offer suppressive or ventricular rate reduction benefits in POAT.
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