Introduction: Postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication of cardiac surgery that is associated with an increased incidence of other complications. This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of landiolol hydrochloride--an ultrashort-acting β1-selective blocker and highly regulated drug, positioned as a class 1 antiarrhythmic in Japan guidelines--for the prevention of AF after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).
Methods: Between January 2011 and November 2013, 116 patients underwent CABG at Fukuoka University Hospital. They were divided into two groups: group L consisted of patients who were administered landiolol hydrochloride at 2 μg/kg/min after completion of all distal anastomoses; group C was the control group consisting of patients who were not administered landiolol. Patient backgrounds, intraoperative variables and incidence of postoperative complications were compared.
Results: No significant between-group differences were observed in patient backgrounds or incidence of complications other than postoperative AF, which occurred significantly less frequently in group L. After administration of landiolol, heart rate decreased but no change was observed in arterial pressure or other parameters, and patient hemodynamics remained stable.
Conclusion: Intraoperative and perioperative administration of low-dose landiolol has a preventive effect on the development of AF after CABG surgery.