[Effect of calcium antagonists verapamil and amlodipine on the risk of development of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting].

Aim: To assess effect of calcium antagonists amlodipine and verapamil on the risk of development of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery.
Material: Of 74 patients subjected to mammary artery and venous coronary bypass grafting with the use of cardiopulmonary bypass 19 received amlodipine and 21 - verapamil.
Results and Conclusion: Attacks of atrial fibrillation during 24 hour ECG monitoring were registered in 22.9% of patients mostly on days 2 and 3 after surgery. In verapamil treated patients atrial fibrillation occurred 1.5-2 times more often than in amlodipine treated patients or in patients receiving no calcium antagonists. This could possibly be explained by pronounced slowing of atrio-ventricular conduction by verapamil at the background of postoperative general "irritation" of the atrial myocardium.