The purpose of this study is to determine whether vitamin C is effective in the prophylaxis of post-operative atrial fibrillation in on-pump cardiac surgery

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the single most common post-operative complication after on-pump cardiac surgery, ranging from roughly 25% in CABG procedures, up to 65% in valve replacement procedures. The presence of AF in cardiac surgery patients doubles the morbidity amongst these patients, as well as raising the mortality rates. VitC is an electron donor for a number of enzymatic systems, reducing potentially harmful free radicals. In post-procedural AF, there is increased peroxynitrite concentration, which is a target for vitamin C. A randomized, double blind study will be conducted in order to establish the efficiency of vitamin C as prophylaxis for postoperative AF.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery

Exclusion Criteria:

• Off-pump cardiac surgery procedure
• AF before the procedure
• Recent infection and/or infectious endocarditis
• Presence of neoplasia
• Chronic renal failure with creatinine>2.3 mg/dl
• Hepatic failure
• Autoimmune disease and/or disease that brings about a systematic inflammatory response
• Thyroid disease
• Systematic use of supplements that contain vitC or carnitine
• The use of NSAIDs other than aspirin for a time period up to one month before the procedure