COENZYME Q10 EFFECT IN PREVENTION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION AFTER CORONARY ARTERY BYPASS GRAFT: DOUBLE-BLIND RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

Background and Aim: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most com¬mon arrhythmia after cardiac surgery. AF leads to longer du¬ration of hospitalization, thromboembolism, and impaired hemodynamics after heart surgery. The most important causes of postoperative AF are inflammation, and oxidative stress status. For this reason, it is useful to control the dys¬rhythmia. Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) is an antioxidant that has an important role in reducing the incidence of postoperative AF. Methods: In this double-blind randomized controlled trial study, 80 patients with coronary artery disease who under¬went coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG), were divided into intervention and control groups to receive pla¬cebo or CoQ10. The intervention group received the oral CoQ10 supplement 150 mg/d for 7 days before surgery. After operation, the two groups were compared regarding impor¬tant outcomes such as postoperative arrhythmia, intensive care unite (ICU) stay, and hospital stay. Results: Thirty-eight women and forty-two men with a mean age of 58.37±7.98 years were enrolled in the study in two CoQ10 and placebo groups (each consisting 40 patients). The incidence of postoperative AF was 45% in the control group, which was decreased to 20% in the intervention group after supplementation (P=0.030). ICU stay and length of in-hospi¬tal stay did not show significant change. The incidence of ar-rhythmias ventricular tachycardia (VT) and VF in this period was not significant (P=0.865). Conclusion: Q10 supplement reduction after CABG can be recommended for prevention of AF.

Atrial fibrillation, Coenzyme Q10, Coronary artery bypass