Skip to main content

Lower Potassium Threshold After CABG Safe for A-Fib Prevention

Medically reviewed by Carmen Pope, BPharm. Last updated on Sep 4, 2024.

By Lori Solomon HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 4, 2024 -- Potassium supplementation at a threshold of <3.6 mEq/L is noninferior to the current 4.5-mEq/L threshold to prevent atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, according to a study published online Aug. 31 in the Journal of the American Medical Association to coincide with the European Society of Cardiology Congress 2024, held from Aug. 30 to Sept. 2 in London.

Benjamin O'Brien, M.D., Ph.D., from Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and colleagues sought to determine whether a lower serum potassium concentration trigger for supplementation is noninferior to a high-normal trigger. A total of 1,690 patients undergoing CABG surgery were randomly assigned to tight or relaxed potassium control (only supplementing if serum potassium concentration fell below 4.5 mEq/L or below 3.6 mEq/L, respectively).

The researchers found that the primary end point of clinically detected and electrocardiographically confirmed new-onset atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery (AFACS) in the first 120 hours after CABG surgery or until hospital discharge occurred in 26.2 percent of patients in the tight group and 27.8 percent of patients in the relaxed group. The groups were similar with respect to the incidence of at least one AFACS episode detected by any means or by ambulatory heart rhythm monitor alone, non-AFACS dysrhythmias, in-patient mortality, or length of stay. In the relaxed group, per-patient cost for purchasing and administering potassium was significantly lower (mean difference, $111.89).

"The widespread practice of seeking to maintain high-normal serum potassium concentration after CABG surgery can be abandoned," the authors write. "This will reduce health care costs and decrease patient risk from an unnecessary intervention."

Several authors disclosed ties to the biopharmaceutical and medical device industries.

Abstract/Full Text

More Information

Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.

© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.

Read this next

Faster Walking Pace Cuts Risk for Cardiac Arrhythmias

FRIDAY, April 25, 2025 -- Average and brisk walking pace are associated with a decreased risk for cardiac arrhythmias, according to a study published online April 15 in...

Study IDs Predictors of Biomechanical Function in Patients With OA Undergoing Hip Replacement

WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2025 -- For patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty (THA), osteoarthritis (OA) severity is the best predictor of preoperative biomechanical function, and...

Most Patients Newly Diagnosed With A-Fib Do Not Receive Anticoagulants

WEDNESDAY, April 23, 2025 -- For patients newly diagnosed with atrial fibrillation (AF) during hospitalization for other causes, most are not dispensed anticoagulants in the year...

More news resources

Subscribe to our newsletter

Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.