Efficacy of low-dose landiolol, an ultrashort-acting β-blocker, on postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing pulmonary resection for lung cancer.

Purpose: Postoperative atrial fibrillation is the most common complication encountered during the early postoperative period following a pulmonary resection procedure. Landiolol is a newly developed, ultrashortacting, β-adrenoceptor antagonist. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of low-dose landiolol for postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing pulmonary resection for lung cancer.

Methods: Of 553 patients who underwent an elective pulmonary resection procedure for lung cancer at National Toneyama Hospital from January 2005 to December 2009, this analysis involved 30 consecutive patients who developed atrial fibrillation after surgery and needed treatment. These patients were divided into two groups: the landiolol group (n = 15) and the historical control group (treated with a combination of verapamil and digoxin, n = 15). Hemodynamic changes before and 30 min, 2 h, and 12 h after medication, the time required to restore sinus rhythm, and adverse events were evaluated.

Results: There were no significant differences between the two groups regarding blood pressure before and after medication. Heart rate was reduced immediately in both groups after medication and was significantly lower in the landiolol group than in the control group. The time to restore sinus rhythm was significantly shorter in the landiolol group than in the control group (8.1 ± 11.0 h vs. 23.0 ± 26.0 h, P < 0.05). In none of the subjects with the landiolol infusion was it discontinued because of side effects.

Conclusion: Low-dose landiolol can be effective quickly and used safely in patients who develop atrial fibrillation after pulmonary resection for lung cancer.