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 .
Effects of Preoperative Short Term Use of Atorvastatin on Endothelial Progenitor Cells after Coronary Surgery: A Randomized, Controlled Trial
Objectives We investigated the effects of short-term use of atorvastatin on CD34+/VEGF-R2+/CD133+/CD45- endothelial progenitor cell ( EPC ) count after on-pump coronary artery bypass surgery ( CABG ) . Methods Between Feb-2010 and May-2010 , we r and omly assigned , in a placebo-controlled , double-blind study , 60 consecutive patients who underwent isolated , first-time CABG to receive either 14-day atorvastatin  ( 40 mg/day ) or placebo  preoperatively . Urgent CABG and recent myocardial infa rct ion were excluded . EPCs were quantified ( cells/μl ) by flow cytometric phenotyping obtained from venous blood sample s collected preoperatively ( T1 ) , 6-hours ( T2 ) , and on the 5th day postoperatively ( T3 ) . Levels of markers of inflammation and serum cardiac troponin I were also measured preoperatively and daily until day-5 after surgery . Results There were no differences in baseline risk factors including cholesterol profiles , and EuroSCORES between the groups . The composite primary end-point , favored statin group with higher amount of circulating , early EPC count ( cells/μl ) at all time points compared with placebo ( T1 , 2.30 ± 0.02 versus 1.58 ± 0.03 , p < 0.001 ; T2 , 5.00 ± 0.06 versus 2.19 ± 0.06 , p < 0.001 ; T3 , 3.03 ± 0.08 versus 1.78 ± 0.02 , p < 0.001 ) . Postoperative hsCRP rise were inversely correlated with EPC count , and were significantly lower in the statin group ( T1 , 0.8 ± 0.1 versus 2.2 ± 1.5 , p < 0.001 ; T2 , 72.9 ± 3.2 versus 96.0 ± 3.6 , p < 0.001 ; T3 , 4.3 ± 1.2 versus 11.4 ± 4.1 , p < 0.001 ) . Furthermore , the incidence of postoperative atrial fibrillation was significantly lower in the statin group compared to placebo ( 3.3 % versus 23 % , p = 0.02 ) . Conclusions Short-term atorvastatin use increases circulating early EPCs both pre- and post-operatively and is associated with better preservation of sinus rhythm and reduced hsCRP levels . ( Clinical Trials.gov number , NCT01096875
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 .