Amiodarone Protocol Provides Cost-Effective Reduction in Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after cardiac operations results in a significant increase in morbidity, mortality, and health care costs. Prophylactic amiodarone has been shown to reduce the incidence of POAF; however, the cost-effectiveness of a protocol-driven approach remains unknown.

Methods

All patients with a Society of Thoracic Surgeons risk score enrolled in a prophylactic amiodarone protocol (n = 153) were propensity score matched 1:3 with patients before protocol implementation (n = 3,574). Multivariate logistic and linear regressions assessed the relative risks (POAF reduction and adverse medication effects) in the matched cohort of amiodarone therapy and costs, respectively. TreeAge cost-effectiveness software (TreeAge Software, Inc, Williams

SUBMITTER: Mehaffey JH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5963994 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature