Effects of landiolol on macrocirculatory parameters and left and right ventricular performances following cardiac surgery: A randomized controlled trial

Objectives Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) is a major complication following cardiac surgery and an early postoperative introduction of beta-blockers is recommended to reduce its incidence. Landiolol, a new intravenous short-acting β1-blocker could present a useful and safe macrohemodynamic profile after cardiac surgery. Detailed metabolic and hemodynamic effects of landiolol on cardiac performance remain, however, poorly documented. We aimed to investigate the dose-dependent hemodynamic and metabolic effects of landiolol in that specific setting. Design A prospective, randomized, double-blind study versus placebo. Setting A tertiary university hospital. Participants Adult patients scheduled for elective cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Interventions Incremental doses of intravenous landiolol (0.5, 1, 2, 5 and 10 μg/kg/min) were given within the two hours after arrival in the intensive care unit. Macrocirculatory parameters and cardiac performances were derived from transpulmonary thermodilution and transthoracic echocardiography. Metabolic data were obtained from arterial blood tests. Measurements and Main Results From January to November 2019, 58 patients were analyzed and divided into a landiolol group (n=30) and a control group (n=28). Heart rate significantly decreased in the landiolol group (P<0.01), whereas mean arterial pressure and stroke volume remained unchanged. No significant modification was found in both left and right systolic and diastolic performances. Metabolic variables were similar in both groups. New-onset POAF occurred in 9 (32%) vs. 5 (17%) patients in control and landiolol groups, respectively (P=0.28). Conclusions Infusion of landiolol in the range of 0.5 to 10 μg/kg/min during the early postoperative period presents a good macrohemodynamic safety profile in cardiac surgical patients and could be useful to prevent POAF.