Keywords: DECS trial; N-acetylcysteine; SIRS trial; amiodarone; angiotensin blockers; antioxidants; atrial fibrillation; atrial pacing; beta blockers; cardiac surgery; colchicine; coronary artery bypass grafting; electrolytes; fish oil; guidelines; incidence; inflammation; magnesium; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; pathogenesis; polyunsaturated fatty acids; posterior pericardiotomy; potassium; risk stratification; sotalol; statins; steroids; stroke; thromboembolism; vitamin C; vitamin E.