Prophylaxis with amiodarone for postoperative atrial fibrillation: when and who?

Post-operative atrial fibrillation (PoAF) is generally considered as a benign, self-limiting complication of cardiac surgery. However, it is associated with complications such as stroke, prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay and need for dialysis, leading to longer hospitalization and higher costs (1,2). Even in-hospital and long-term mortality are higher in patients who develop PoAF (2,3), making it clear that PoAF is less innocent than assumed.