Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone System (RAAS), Inflammation, and Post-Operative Atrial Fibrillation (AF)

AF is the most prevalent, sustained type of irregular heartbeat and affects over 2 million Americans. Post-operative atrial fibrillation(AF), which leads to significant morbidity and a prolonged hospital stay, complicates 20% to 40% of CPB surgical procedures. While recent studies indicate that interruption of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system by either angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE) inhibition or angiotensin II subtype 1 (AT1) receptor antagonism decreases the incidence of AF following a heart attack or cardioversion (electric shock to the heart), its effect on the incidence of post-operative AF has not been throughly studied. Studies in both animals and humans suggest that inflammation-induced atrial remodeling plays an important role in the cause of AF. Recent studies also provide evidence that activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system induces inflammation, myocyte injury, proarrhythmic electrical remodeling, and fibrosis through aldosterone.

This study will evaluate the effectiveness of ACE inhibition and aldosterone receptor antagonism at decreasing inflammation and AF following cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery.

Inclusion criteria

• Undergoing elective valvular heart surgery, coronary artery bypass grafting
• If female, must be postmenopausal for at least 1 year, status-post surgical sterilization, or if of childbearing potential, utilizing adequate birth control and willing to undergo urine beta-hcg testing prior to drug treatment and throughout the study

Exclusion criteria

• History of AF other than remote paroxysmal AF
• Ejection fraction less than 30%
• Evidence of coagulopathy (INR greater than 1.7 without warfarin therapy)
• Emergency surgery
• History of ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema
• Low blood pressure (systolic blood pressure less than 100 mmHg and evidence of hypoperfusion)
• Hyperkalemia (potassium level greater than 5.0 milliequivalents (mEq)/L at study entry)
• Impaired kidney function (serum creatinine level greater than 1.6 mg/dl)
• Any underlying or acute disease requiring regular medication that could possibly cause complications or make implementation of the study or interpretation of the study results difficult
• Inability to discontinue current ACE inhibitor, AT1 receptor antagonist, or aldosterone receptor antagonist therapy
• History of alcohol or drug abuse
• Treatment with any investigational drug in the month prior to study entry
• Mental condition that makes it impossible to understand the nature, scope and possible consequences of the study
• Inability to comply with the study procedures (e.g., uncooperative attitude, inability to return for follow-up visits, and unlikelihood of completing the study)
• Pregnant or breastfeeding