SUMMARY The use of statins was significantly associated with a decreased risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with sinus rhythm .
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Whether statins may prevent  atrial fibrillation  remains a subject of debate .
Effects of rosuvastatin on asymmetric dimethylarginine levels and early atrial fibrillation recurrence after electrical cardioversion.
BACKGROUND High levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine ( ADMA ) are associated with an increased risk of early recurrence of atrial fibrillation ( AF ) after electrical cardioversion . We aim ed to investigate the effects of rosuvastatin on serum ADMA levels and early recurrence of AF following successful electrical cardioversion . METHODS A total of 64 patients with persistent AF , but without known heart disease , who underwent elective electrical cardioversion were r and omized to the rosuvastatin ( group I , n = 32 ) and control ( group II , n = 32 ) groups . The end point was the recurrence of AF during the 3 months of follow-up . RESULTS The baseline ADMA levels were not different between the two groups . At the end of follow-up , serum ADMA levels in group I decreased compared with the baseline levels , whereas no significant change occurred in group II . During the follow-up , five patients in group I ( 15.6 % ) and 13 in group II ( 40.6 % ) had AF recurrence ( P < 0.05 , log-rank test ) . With the Cox proportional model , the predictors of recurrence included age > or = 65 years , left atrial diameter > 45 mm , and baseline ADMA levels > or = 2.0 micromol/l . Rosuvastatin was associated with a reduced risk of AF recurrence ( relative risk 0.35 , 95 % confidence interval 0.12 - 0.96 , P < 0.05 ) . CONCLUSIONS Rosuvastatin decreased the early recurrence of AF following successful electrical cardioversion with reduced ADMA levels
SUMMARY The use of statins was significantly associated with a decreased risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with sinus rhythm .
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Whether statins may prevent  atrial fibrillation  remains a subject of debate .