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 .
A randomized comparison of atrial and dual-chamber pacing in 177 consecutive patients with sick sinus syndrome: echocardiographic and clinical outcome.
OBJECTIVES A r and omized trial was done to compare single-chamber atrial ( AAI ) and dual-chamber ( DDD ) pacing in patients with sick sinus syndrome ( SSS ) . Primary end points were changes in left atrial ( LA ) size and left ventricular ( LV ) size and function as measured by M-mode echocardiography . BACKGROUND In patients with SSS and normal atrioventricular conduction , it is still not clear whether the optimal pacing mode is AAI or DDD pacing . METHODS A total of 177 consecutive patients ( mean age 74 + /- 9 years , 73 men ) were r and omized to treatment with one of three rate-adaptive ( R ) pacemakers  : AAIR ( n = 54 ) , DDDR with a short atrioventricular delay ( n = 60 ) ( DDDR-s ) , or DDDR with a fixed long atrioventricular delay ( n = 63 ) ( DDDR-l ) . Before pacemaker implantation and at each follow-up , M-mode echocardiography was done to measure LA and LV diameters . Left ventricular fractional shortening ( LVFS ) was calculated . Analysis was on an intention-to-treat basis . RESULTS Mean follow-up was 2.9 + /- 1.1 years . In the AAIR group , no significant changes were observed in LA or LV diameters or LVFS from baseline to last follow-up . In both DDDR groups , LA diameter increased significantly ( p < 0.05 ) , and in the DDDR-s group , LVFS decreased significantly ( p < 0.01 ) . Atrial fibrillation was significantly less common in the AAIR group , 7.4 % versus 23.3 % in the DDDR-s group versus 17.5 % in the DDDR-l group ( p = 0.03 , log-rank test ) . Mortality , thromboembolism , and congestive heart failure did not differ between groups . CONCLUSIONS During a mean follow-up of 2.9 + /- 1.1 years , DDDR pacing causes increased LA diameter , and DDDR pacing with a short atrioventricular delay also causes decreased LVFS . No changes occur in LA or LV diameters or LVFS during AAIR pacing . Atrial fibrillation is significantly less common during AAIR pacing
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 .