@article{Elfeky_El-Afify_2020, title={Effect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid on Atrial Fibrillation after Open Heart Surgery}, volume={2}, url={https://journals.escts.net/ects/article/view/127}, DOI={10.35810/ects.v1i1.127}, abstractNote={<p><strong>Background:</strong> Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, and an inflammatory process is involved in its pathogenesis. We aimed to study the possible effect of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) as an antioxidant on atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.</p> <p><strong>Methods:</strong> The study included ninety patients who underwent cardiac surgery, either valvular or coronary artery bypass grafting using cardiopulmonary bypass, and were randomized into two groups: Control and ALA groups. Blood samples were obtained to measure preoperative and postoperative levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione, C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). The patients were monitored for the occurrence of atrial fibrillation until the day of discharge.</p> <p><strong>Results:</strong> POAF occurred in 33% in the control group versus 11% in the ALA group (p=0.011).&nbsp; When compared to the control group, ALA significantly decreased the postoperative levels of MDA (4.78±0.91 vs. 5.36±1.03 nmol/ml; p= 0.006) CRP (19.44±3.14 vs. 26.56±6.29 mg/dl; p &lt;0.001) and IL-6 (22.25±2.2 vs. 25.37±2.5 pg/ml; p&lt; 0.001) while glutathione level increased significantly in patients who received ALA (26.4±4.59 vs. 23.44±5.11 mg/l; p= 0.005).</p> <p><strong>Conclusion:</strong> ALA may help in the prevention of atrial fibrillation following cardiac surgery through exerting antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.</p&gt;}, number={3}, journal={The Egyptian Cardiothoracic Surgeon}, author={Elfeky, Wael and El-Afify , Dalia R}, year={2020}, month={Jul.}, pages={77 - 83} }