The Role of Colchicine in Treating Postoperative and Post-catheter Ablation Atrial Fibrillation.

Abstract

PURPOSE\nThe goal of this review was to summarize, analyze, and compare trials studying the efficacy of colchicine in the prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF) post-operatively (POAF) and post-catheter ablation. Ongoing studies and current guidelines are also presented and reviewed.\n\n\nMETHODS\nPublished studies on the field were identified through a literature search of the PubMed and clinicaltrials.gov databases.\n\n\nFINDINGS\nFour original studies regarding POAF, two original studies regarding post-catheter ablation AF, and six meta-analyses were identified. In addition, the 3 most recent guidelines/expert consensus documents were scrutinized.\n\n\nIMPLICATIONS\nAF occurs frequently after cardiac surgery (POAF) and catheter pulmonary vein isolation (postablation AF) and is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity. A number of trials over the last few years have investigated the role of colchicine in the prevention of POAF and postablation AF targeting the local and systemic inflammatory process that leads to initiation and maintenance of AF. Available data imply that colchicine may have a preventive role in POAF and/or postablation AF. However, certain limitations of these studies underline the need for further investigation.