Efficacy and safety of landiolol for prevention of atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a quite common complication during the postoperative period after cardiac surgery. Increasing studies have reported that landiolol may be effective in prevention of AF after cardiac surgery. Its efficacy and safety are seldom explored; hence we conducted a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to evaluate the efficacy and safety of landiolol in prevention of AF after cardiac surgery. Databases of PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched from inception through to December 2014 for RCTs that explored the efficacy and safety of landiolol on the prevention of AF after cardiac surgery. Pooled results were expressed as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Nine eligible RCTs involving 807 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, landiolol was associated with a significant reduction of AF after cardiac surgery (RR=0.41; 95% CI 0.32-0.52; P<0.001), and the administration of landiolol seems more effective in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (RR=0.36; 95% CI 0.25-0.52; P<0.001). Compared with placebo, no difference was detected in the incidence of major complications (RR=0.77; 95% CI 0.34-1.72; P=0.52). Landiolol is effective in prevention of AF after cardiac surgery and without increasing the risk of major complications.