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 .
Effect of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol on Angiotensin II Sensitivity: A Randomized Trial With Fluvastatin
Increased angiotensin II ( Ang II ) sensitivity predisposes to hypertension and plaque instability . Raised low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-c ) may increase Ang II sensitivity , but evidence in humans for this effect of LDL-c is limited . In 28 , healthy , nonsmoking subjects , aged 30±8 years , with familial hypercholesterolemia , we determined the difference in infusion rate of Ang II and norepinephrine required to increase systolic blood pressure by 20 mm Hg ( Pd-20 ) after 4 weeks of placebo and fluvastatin 80 mg daily in a r and omized , double-blind , placebo-controlled , crossover study . Before infusions were started , fasting blood sample s were taken to measure lipids . After 4 weeks of placebo  , the mean LDL-c concentration was 6.3±1.4 mmol/L. The average decrease of LDL-c was 1.7±0.7 mmol/L after 4 weeks of fluvastatin ( P<0.001 ) . The mean Pd-20 for Ang II increased by 1.28 ng/kg per minute ( 95 % CI , 2.05 to 0.50 ; P=0.002 ) on fluvastatin , corresponding with a 26 % decrease in Ang II sensitivity . Ang II sensitivity , however , remained increased compared with normocholesterolemic controls . The Pd-20 values for norepinephrine were unaffected by fluvastatin . The present study in healthy , young subjects with isolated hypercholesterolemia shows an increased sensitivity to Ang II that partly can be restored by LDL-c – lowering therapy . These findings indicate that LDL-c levels directly influence Ang II sensitivity
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 .