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 .
The −174G/C Interleukin-6 Polymorphism Influences Postoperative Interleukin-6 Levels and Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation. Is Atrial Fibrillation an Inflammatory Complication?
Background —It has been suggested that inflammation can have a role in the development of atrial arrhythmias after cardiac surgery and that a genetic predisposition to develop postoperative complications exists . This study was conceived to verify if a potential genetic modulator of the systemic inflammatory reaction to cardiopulmonary bypass ( the −174 G/C polymorphism of the promoter of the Interleukin-6 gene ) has a role in the pathogenesis of postoperative atrial fibrillation ( AF ) . Patients and Results —In 110 primary isolated coronary artery bypass patients the −174G/C Interleukin-6 promoter gene variant was determined . Interleukin-6 , fibrinogen and C-reactive protein plasma levels were determined preoperatively , 24 , 48 , and 72 hours after surgery and at discharge . Heart rate and rhythm were continuously monitored for the first 36 to 48 hours ; daily 12-lead electrocardiograms were performed thereafter until discharge . GG , CT , and CC genotypes were found in 62 , 38 , and 10 patients , respectively . Multivariate analysis ( which included genotype , age , sex , and classical risk factors for AF ) identified the GG genotype as the only independent predictor of postoperative AF . The latter occurred in 33.9 % of GG versus 10.4 % of non-GG patients ( hazard ratio 3.25 , 95%CI 1.23 to 8.62 ) . AF patients  had higher blood levels of Interleukin-6 and fibrinogen after surgery ( P < 0.001 for difference between the area under the curve ) . Conclusion —The −174G/C Interleukin-6 promoter gene variant appears to modulate the inflammatory response to surgery and to influence the development of postoperative AF . These data suggest an inflammatory component of postoperative atrial arrhythmias and a genetic predisposition to this complication
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 .