Amiodarone and N-Acetylcysteine or Amiodarone Alone for Preventing Atrial Fibrillation After Thoracic Surgery

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Trial of Combined Amiodarone and N-Acetylcysteine Versus Amiodarone Plus Placebo for the Prevention of Atrial Fibrillation in High Risk Patients Undergoing Thoracic Surgery

This trial will be comparing the combination of amiodarone and NAC (n=122) to amiodarone alone and NAC matched placebo (n=122) to determine the rates with which sustained (lasting >30 seconds) or clinically significant POAF is reduced in high risk patients within 7 days after major thoracic surgery.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients ≥18 years old scheduled for elective thoracic surgery (segmentectomy, lobectomy or bi-lobectomy, pneumonectomy or esophagectomy) and meeting one of the four following risk criteria:

  • 1. Female & BNP ≥ 25pg/ml (no age limit)
  • 2. Male gender <75 & BNP ≥ 25pg/ml
  • 3. Male- age ≥75 (No BNP limit)
  • 4. History of prior AF

• Patients in sinus rhythm.

• Patients with stable respiratory status (no respiratory distress).

• Patients capable of providing written, informed consent.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients scheduled for extrapleural pneumonectomy.
• Hemodynamically unstable patients (not in cardiogenic shock or having an acute MI).
• Patients with 2nd or 3rd degree atrioventricular (AV) block.
• Patients with hypersensitivity to amiodarone or NAC.
• Patients already taking class Ic or III antiarrhythmic drugs.
• Hepatic insufficiency (≤2 times the upper normal limit of transaminase levels).
• Renal insufficiency (creatinine ≥2.0 mg/dl).
• Known pregnancy.