Beta blockers for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery: Carvedilol versus metoprolol

Received 18 September 2007; accepted 11 December 2007. published online 18 February 2008.

Abstract

Although all beta blockers appear to be effective in the prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation (AF) following coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), carvedilol was found to be much more effective than metoprolol in this respect as the current study clearly delineated. We believe that the ongoing COMPACT trial will answer the question of whether or not carvedilol is more superior than metoprolol to prevent postoperative AF in patients undergoing CABG.

Keywords: Postoperative atrial fibrillation, Coronary artery bypass surgery, Carvedilol, Metoprolol

a Gulhane Military Medical Academy, School of Medicine, Department of Cardiology, 06018 Etlik, Ankara, Turkey

b Gulhane Military Medical Academy, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Etlik, Ankara, Turkey

Corresponding author. Tel.: +90 312 3044268; fax: +90 312 3044250.

PII: S0167-5273(08)00008-9

doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2007.12.026

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