Abstract
Cavolli and colleagues (Circulation. 2008 Jul 29;118(5):476–81. PMID: 18625896) investigated whether sodium nitroprusside (SNP), as a nitric oxide donor, reduces AF after CABG in a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled trail. A control group of (50 patients) was treated with placebo while the SNP group (50 patients) was treated with SNP (0.5 microg × kg(−1) × min(−1)) during the rewarming period. AF occurred in 12% of the SNP group and 27% of the control group (P = 0.005). AF duration in the SNP group was significantly shorter than that in the control group (5.33±1.86 and 7.55±1.94 hours, respectively; P = 0.023). C-reactive protein levels were higher postoperatively in the control group than in the SNP group (P <0.05). Postoperative AF significantly prolonged postoperative hospital stay (P <0.05). The authors conclude that the incidence of postoperative AF in the SNP group was reduced significantly. Further studies are needed to better delineate the anti-AF profile of SNP.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
