40
Views
3
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Drug Profile

Cost–effectiveness of amiodarone in cardiac surgery

, &
Pages 19-30 | Published online: 09 Jan 2014
 

Abstract

Atrial fibrillation is the most common complication after open-heart surgery. The incidence rate is 25–50%. This review summarizes findings of economic studies of amiodarone prophylaxis in cardiac surgery patients. Data were pooled from more than 15 studies. Four meta-analyses combining six to 19 amiodarone trials indicated a significant decrease in the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation (odds ratio range: 0.50–0.54). Other studies (individual randomized controlled trials, naturalistic studies and economic models) supported this finding. A majority of studies showed that amiodarone prophylaxis was cost neutral and resulted in a decrease in the length of stay, the main cost driver in postoperative atrial fibrillation. Selective use of amiodarone in high-risk patients (over 70 years, history of atrial fibrillation and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and concurrent valve surgery) will potentially enhance its cost–effectiveness.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.