The effects of Vitamin C on Inflammatory Markers and Atrial Fibrillation in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery in Bushehr Heart Center: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Background: Coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) with cardiopulmonary bypass pump may cause systemic inflammatory reactions by releasing cytokines which leads to multiple organ failure. Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. The study aimed to determine the effect of vitamin C on inflammatory markers and atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing CABG. Materials and Methods: In the present single-blind randomized controlled clinical trial, 80 patients were divided to experimental and control groups. The experimental group received vitamin C 2 g IV, and the control group received the same amount (equivalent to 4×5 cc shots) of normal saline IV 10 minutes after induction of anesthesia. Arterial blood samples were taken at specified intervals to assess IL-6 and hsCRP levels. The data were analyzed in SPSS-24. Results: The changes in IL-6 values at the specific intervals were not statistically significant (P> 0.05). Significant differences were observed in hsCRP levels only 24 hours after CABG. The incidence of atrial fibrillation was not significantly different between the two groups after the intervention. Conclusion: This study showed that ascorbic acid has no effect on reducing IL6 and hsCRP levels in patients undergoing CABG, and similarly, does not cause a reduction in post-CABG atrial fibrillation.