Effectiveness of sotalol in preventing supraventricular tachyarrhythmias shortly after coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract To investigate the effectiveness and safety of low-dose sotalol (a class III antiarrhythmic β-blocking agent) in the prevention of supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (SVTs) and to identify predictors for the occurrence of these arrhythmias shortly after coronary artery bypass grafting, 300 consecutive patients were randomized in a double-blind, placebo-controlled fashion. Patients with severely depressed left ventricular function or other contraindications for β blockers were excluded. Beginning at 4 hours and up to the sixth day after surgery, 150 patients received 40 mg of sotalol every 6 hours and 150 patients received placebo every 6 hours. SVT was observed in 24 (16%) of 150 low-dose sotalol- and in 49 (33%) of 150 placebo-treated patients [p