Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common serious complications occurring after thoracic surgery and is the most common perioperative cardiac arrhythmia. The incidence of perioperative AF in patients undergoing major thoracic surgery ranges from 10% in low-risk patients to as high as 20% in high-risk patients. The course of patients with perioperative AF is frequently complicated by hemodynamic instability, problems with managing anticoagulation in the early postoperative period, prolonged intensive care unit and hospital stays, and increased costs. Patients who develop perioperative AF (POAF) also have a significantly increased risk of death and stroke.~Colchicine is an inexpensive drug and a highly effective anti-inflammatory agent that holds great potential for preventing POAF in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Data from cardiac surgery patients suggest that prevention of POAF using colchicine is feasible, but whether this concept is also applicable to patients undergoing thoracic surgery, where the risk of POAF is lower and underlying mechanisms may be different, is currently unclear. The 'Colchicine for the prevention of perioperative AF' (COP-AF) trial has been designed as a large randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial to determine whether colchicine, a potent, safe and inexpensive anti-inflammatory drug, lowers the risk of perioperative AF and other inflammatory complications in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. The primary objective of this trial is to determine whether a 10-day course of colchicine 0.5mg twice daily reduces the incidence of perioperative AF within 14 days after thoracic surgery.
The prevention of perioperative atrial fibrillation has the potential to reduce mortality, stroke, and hospital stays in patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Data from cardiac surgery patients suggest that prevention of perioperative atrial fibrillation using an anti-inflammatory agent, such as colchicine, is feasible. The COP-AF trial will assess whether the administration of oral colchicine will reduce the incidence of perioperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing major thoracic surgery.