Short-term amiodarone for new irregular heartbeat after heart surgery
Tests short-term amiodarone in adults with new atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Short Term Anti-aRrhythmic Therapy for Post-Operative AF in Cardiac Surgery Patients Pilot Trial
Key facts
- Where
- Hamilton and Toronto, CanadaSee the 2 sites
- Phase
- Phase 3
Where in Canada
- Hamilton General HospitalHamilton, CanadaTaking people
- St. Michael's HospitalToronto, CanadaTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Population Health Research Institute
- Trial code
- NCT05841056
- Record updated
- 4 September 2026
- Original description
The START-POAF pilot study is a prospective, open-label two-arm, randomized controlled trial with blinded assessment of outcomes (PROBE). This pilot study will assess Atrial Fibrillation (AF) recurrence and burden in patients with new-onset AF following cardiac surgery.Read full original descriptionShow less
Short Term Anti-aRrhythmic Therapy for Post-Operative AF in Cardiac Surgery Patients (START-POAF) Pilot Trial
The START-POAF pilot study is a prospective, open-label two-arm, randomized controlled trial with blinded assessment of outcomes (PROBE). This pilot study will assess Atrial Fibrillation (AF) recurrence and burden in patients with new-onset AF following cardiac surgery.
Inclusion: Aged ≥18 years; Have undergone cardiac surgery including CABG, valve surgery, surgery on the aorta, or combinations thereof within 14 days of randomization; Had new-onset POAF (or flutter), documented by 12-lead ECG or lasting ≥ 1 hour on telemetry. Patients can be in AF or sinus rhythm at the time of randomization; Expected to receive 3 g - 5 g of amiodarone loading dose post-surgery; Expected to be ready for hospital discharge within 48 h of randomization.
Exclusion: Planned use of a class I or III anti-arrhythmic drug (other than study drug); Documented preoperative history of paroxysmal, persistent or permanent AF; Patients who have undergone heart transplant, complex congenital heart surgery, isolated ventricular assist device insertion, or AF ablation (surgical or catheter); Known allergy to ECG adhesives; Contraindication to amiodarone (i.e. hyperthyroidism, severe restrictive (Total Lung Capacity (TLC) <50% predicted) or obstructive (Forced Expiry Volume (FEV1) <49% predicted) lung disease, Long QT syndrome, PR > 240 ms, high-grade AV block); Individuals who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or of childbearing potential - female subjects, premenopausal who are not surgically sterile, or, if sexually active not practicing an effective method of birth control (e.g., prescription oral contraceptives, contraceptive injections, intrauterine device, double-barrier method, contraceptive patch, male partner sterilization) before entry and throughout the study; and, for those of childbearing potential, who have a positive pregnancy test at screening.