Statistical heterogeneity between included studies was not detected ( chi(2 ) = 1.68 , P = 0.43 , I(2 ) = 0 % ) , although significant clinical differences were found in terms of study design , patient population s , statins use and dosage and AF-monitoring capabilities .
Statins may represent a novel treatment strategy to prevent the occurrence of AF in patients with PM , especially for those who had a PM implanted due to sinus node dysfunction .
Patients with permanent pacemakers ( PM ) are at high risk of developing atrial fibrillation ( AF ) .
Minimal ventricular pacing modalities have been demonstrated to reduce AF in such patients , although they are not suitable for patients with advanced atrioventricular conduction disease .
Recent evidence s suggest that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors ( i.e. statins ) may represent a new strategy to prevent AF in patients at risk .
In this article , we sought to review data regarding the effectiveness of statin therapy in preventing AF patients with a PM .
Diagnosis of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation in patients with implanted pacemakers: relationship to symptoms and other variables.
BACKGROUND Atrial fibrillation ( AF ) is not always accompanied by clear-cut symptoms and symptoms suggestive of AF may not correspond to a genuine AF episode . The study prospect ively evaluated the burden of asymptomatic AF episodes in pacemaker patients ( for sick sinus syndrome ) with a history of documented paroxysmal AF . METHODS Consecutive patients were enrolled and implanted with dual-chamber pacemakers equipped with diagnostic features for AF monitoring .  Each patient was instructed about typical AF symptoms and was asked to keep a detailed log of symptoms . Stored pacemaker data were analyzed using only AF episodes > 30 s. RESULTS The mean follow-up was 16 + /- 6 months and 102 patients were enrolled ( 73 + /- 7 years , 59 M ) . Thirteen patients ( 13 % ) dropped out with the development of permanent AF and their data were discarded . Twenty-three patients ( 26 % ) without device-stored AF episodes all reported at least one annotated AF episode . There were 1,245 device-stored AF episodes in 66 ( 74 % ) out of 89 patients . Patients reported 1,141 episodes of AF-related symptoms . Only 240 ( 21 % ) corresponded to a genuine device-stored AF event . The sensitivity and positive predictive value of symptoms to detect AF were respectively 19 % and 21 % . Episode duration , rate increase at the onset of the arrhythmia , heart disease , or antiarrhythmic drug therapy showed no statistically significant differences comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic episodes . CONCLUSIONS Many pacemaker patients with paroxysmal AF can develop AF-like symptoms in the absence of device-stored AF . AF-related symptoms have low sensitivity and low positive predictive value in patients with permanent pacemakers
Statistical heterogeneity between included studies was not detected ( chi(2 ) = 1.68 , P = 0.43 , I(2 ) = 0 % ) , although significant clinical differences were found in terms of study design , patient population s , statins use and dosage and AF-monitoring capabilities .
Statins may represent a novel treatment strategy to prevent the occurrence of AF in patients with PM , especially for those who had a PM implanted due to sinus node dysfunction .
Patients with permanent pacemakers ( PM ) are at high risk of developing atrial fibrillation ( AF ) .
Minimal ventricular pacing modalities have been demonstrated to reduce AF in such patients , although they are not suitable for patients with advanced atrioventricular conduction disease .
Recent evidence s suggest that 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors ( i.e. statins ) may represent a new strategy to prevent AF in patients at risk .
In this article , we sought to review data regarding the effectiveness of statin therapy in preventing AF patients with a PM .