Prolonged Chest Tube Treatment to Reduce Rates of Atrial Fibrillation Following Cardiac Surgery

Launched by REGION SKANE · Jan 23, 2025

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ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether using a special chest tube for a longer period after heart surgery can help reduce the chances of patients developing an irregular heartbeat, known as postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF). The researchers will involve 624 patients who are having routine heart surgeries, such as coronary artery bypass grafting or valve replacements. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive the chest tube along with standard care for up to three days after surgery or just standard care alone. The main goal is to see if the chest tube can lower the rates of POAF within the first week after surgery.

To be eligible for this study, patients must be at least 18 years old and scheduled for non-emergency heart surgery. They should not have a history of irregular heartbeats or other specific heart conditions that might interfere with the trial. If someone joins the study, they can expect close monitoring during their hospital stay, and the researchers will track various health outcomes for up to five years. This trial aims to provide valuable information that could lead to better care after heart surgery and potentially lower healthcare costs.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age ≥ 18 years
• • Undergoing non-emergent surgery (\>24 hours between decision to operate and surgical procedure) with coronary artery bypass grafting, aortic valve replacement, aortic surgery without the use of circulatory arrest, or any combination of these procedures
• • Able to give written informed consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • History of atrial fibrillation (AF) or atrial flutter
• • History of electrophysiological interventions or treatment with antiarrhythmic drugs due to arrhythmias other than AF
• • Pre- or postoperative prophylactic treatment with amiodarone
• • Existing pacemaker, ICD, or CRT device without a functional atrial lead
• • Aortic surgery with hypothermic circulatory arrest
• • Previous cardiac surgery
• • Previous radiation of the chest due to malignancy
• • Ongoing infection at time of surgery
• • Ongoing treatment with immunosuppressants, including oral corticosteroids
• • Patient already included in another interventional clinical trial
• • Patient listed abroad, which would render them to be lost to follow-up after discharge
• • Patient does not understand study information given in the local language or, for other reasons, is deemed unfit to participate according to the investigators.