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 .
Role of preoperative atorvastatin administration in protection against postoperative atrial fibrillation following conventional coronary artery bypass grafting.
Atrial fibrillation ( AF ) is one of the most common postoperative arrhythmias in patients who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting ( CABG ) . The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of preoperative atorvastatin on postoperative atrial fibrillation  following coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass ( CCABG ) . One hundred consecutive patients undergoing elective CCABG , without history of AF or previous statin treatment , were enrolled and r and omly assigned to a statin group ( atorvastatin 20 mg/d , n = 49 ) or a control group ( placebo , n = 51 ) starting 7 days preoperatively . The primary endpoint was the occurrence of postoperative AF . C-reactive protein ( CRP ) levels were assessed in all selected patients before surgery and every 24 hours postoperatively until discharge from hospital . Atorvastatin significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative AF and postoperative peak CRP level versus placebo ( 18 % versus 41 % , P = 0.017 ; 129.3 ± 24.3 mg/L versus 149.3 ± 32.5 mg/L , P < 0.0001 ) . Kaplan-Meier curves confirmed a significantly better postoperative atrial fibrillation-free survival in the statin group ( χ(2 ) = 7.466 , P = 0.006 ) . Logistic regression analysis showed preoperative atorvastatin treatment was an independent factor associated with a significant reduction in postoperative AF ( OR = 0.235 , P = 0.007 ) , whereas high postoperative CRP levels were associated with increased risk ( OR = 2.421 , P = 0.015 ) . Preoperative atorvastatin administration may inhibit inflammatory reactions to prevent atrial fibrillation following coronary artery bypass grafting with cardiopulmonary bypass
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 .