Evaluation of an Evidence-Based Practice Implementation

Amiodarone Protocol Provides Cost-Effective Reduction in Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation

“…(16–18) Prophylactic amiodarone has been demonstrated to successfully reduce the risk of POAF. (19–21) However, there some concerns exists about medication related adverse events including bradycardia, heart block, and hypotension that may prove more costly then justified by the reduction in POAF. (22, 23) After controlling for these effects we demonstrate implementation of a prophylactic amiodarone protocol at our institution still provides a cost effective reduction in POAF.…”

“…Studies in the literature provide different estimates for POAF risk reduction with use of prophylactic amiodarone. (19, 21, 24) A recent meta-analysis looking at six prospective randomized trials demonstrated an OR of 0.50 with a 95% confidence interval of 0.42–0.60. (25) Our cost-effectiveness model demonstrated prophylactic amiodarone was cost effective at all OR below 0.726, which was at the top of the confidence interval for our population.…”