CoQ10, also known as coenzyme Q10, is involved with energy production in the cell, as well as being a fat-soluble antioxidant. A review of articles (meta-analysis), appearing in Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (2015 Feb;20(2):254-9), looked at whether CoQ10 supplementation could reduce complications for patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. The authors looked at eight clinical trials. Patients with CoQ10 treatment were significantly less likely to require inotropic drugs after surgery and were less likely to have ventricular arrhythmias or atrial fibrillation.

The authors concluded, ” Since none of the clinical trials included in this review report any adverse effects associated to CoQ10 administration, and coenzyme Q10 has been demonstrated to be safe even at much higher doses in other studies, we conclude that CoQ10 should be considered as a prophylactic treatment for preventing complications in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. However, better quality randomized, controlled trials are needed to clarify the role of CoQ10 in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. “