Data from different observational trials have shown that treatment with statins significantly reduces the incidence of new-onset AF in the primary and secondary prevention .
The data are insufficient to recommend the use of statins before EC .
Finally , perioperative statin therapy may represent an important non-antiarrhythmic adjunctive therapeutic strategy for the prevention of postoperative AF
The aim of the present systematic review is to present an overview of the evidence linking atrial fibrillation ( AF ) , inflammation and oxidative stress , with emphasis on the potential of statins to decrease the incidence of different types of AF , including new-onset AF , after electrical cardioversion ( EC ) and after cardiac surgery .
Observational and clinical trials have studied the impact of statin therapy on new-onset , post-EC or postoperative AF .
Predictors of atrial fibrillation after coronary artery surgery. Current trends and impact on hospital resources.
BACKGROUND  Atrial fibrillation ( AF ) after coronary artery bypass surgery ( CABG ) is the most common sustained arrhythmia . Its pathophysiology is unclear , and its prevention and management remain suboptimal . The aim of this prospect i ve study was to determine the current incidence of AF , identify its clinical predictors , and examine its impact on re source utilization . METHODS AND RESULTS Over a 12-month period ending July 31 , 1994 , a  CABG procedure was performed on 570 consecutive patients ( age range , 32 to 87 years ; median age , 67 years ; 232 [ 41 % ] were > or = 70 years ; 175 [ 31 % ] were women ; 173 [ 30 % ] were diabetics ; 364 [ 65 % ] required nonelective surgery ; 86 [ 15 % ] had had a prior CABG ; and 86 [ 15 % ] had had prior percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty ) .  AF occurred in 189 patients ( 33 % ) . The median age for patients with AF was 71 years compared with 66 for patients without ( P = .0001 ) . Multivariate logistic regression analysis ( odds ratio , + /- 95 % CI , P value ) was used to identify the following independent predictors of postoperative AF : increasing age ( age 70 to 80 years [ OR = 2 ; CI , 1.3 to 3 ; P = .002 ] , age > 80 years [ OR = 3 ; CI , 1.6 to 5.8 ; P = .0007 ] ) , male gender ( OR = 1.7 ; CI , 1.1 to 2.7 ; P = .01 ) , hypertension ( OR = 1.6 ; CI , 1.0 to 2.3 ; P = .03 ) , need for an intraoperative intraaortic balloon pump ( OR = 3.5 ; CI , 1.2 to 10.9 ; P = .03 ) , postoperative pneumonia ( OR = 3.9 ; CI , 1.3 to 11.5 ; P = .01 ) , ventilation for > 24 hours ( OR = 2 ; CI , 1.3 to 3.2 ; P = .003 ) , and return to the intensive care unit ( OR = 3.2 ; CI , 1.1 to 8.8 ; P = .03 ) . The mean length of hospital stay after surgery was 15.3 + /- 28.6 days for patients with AF compared with 9.3 + /- 19.6 days for patients without AF ( P = .001 ) . The adjusted length of hospital stay attributable to AF was 4.9 days , corresponding to > or = $ 10 055 in hospital charges . CONCLUSIONS AF remains the most common complication after CABG and consequently is a drain on hospital re sources . Concerted efforts to reduce the incidence of AF and the associated increased length of stay would result in substantial cost saving and decrease patient morbidity
Data from different observational trials have shown that treatment with statins significantly reduces the incidence of new-onset AF in the primary and secondary prevention .
The data are insufficient to recommend the use of statins before EC .
Finally , perioperative statin therapy may represent an important non-antiarrhythmic adjunctive therapeutic strategy for the prevention of postoperative AF
The aim of the present systematic review is to present an overview of the evidence linking atrial fibrillation ( AF ) , inflammation and oxidative stress , with emphasis on the potential of statins to decrease the incidence of different types of AF , including new-onset AF , after electrical cardioversion ( EC ) and after cardiac surgery .
Observational and clinical trials have studied the impact of statin therapy on new-onset , post-EC or postoperative AF .