High dose of amiodarone in a short-term period reduces the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation and atrial flutter.

Objective: To investigate whether oral amiodarone administered before surgery for a short period in high dose would reduce the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter and reduces the length of hospital stay.

Methods: In the double-blind, randomized study, 93 patients were given either oral amiodarone (46 patients) or placebo (47 patients). Therapy consisted of 600 mg of amiodarone three times a day, started at minimum 30 hours and at maximum 56 hours before surgery.