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 .
Relation of an exaggerated rise in white blood cells after coronary bypass or cardiac valve surgery to development of atrial fibrillation postoperatively.
This study investigated the correlation between an elevated white blood cell ( WBC ) count as a marker of inflammation and the development of  atrial fibrillation ( AF ) after cardiac surgery .  WBC counts  were prospect ively followed in 181 consecutive patients who underwent coronary bypass or cardiac valve surgery  to determine if a baseline or postoperative WBC count elevation is an independent predictor of postoperative AF
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 .