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 .
Effect of atorvastatin on the recurrence rates of atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion.
To study the effect of atorvastatin on recurrence of atrial fibrillation ( AF ) after electrical cardioversion ( EC ) , 48 patients with AF lasting 48 hours who were scheduled for EC were r and omized to the atorvastatin ( group I ) and control ( group II ) groups . Six patients in group I ( 25 % ) and 2 patients in group II ( 8.3 % ) had spontaneous conversion before EC ( p > 0.05 ) . The end point was the recurrence of AF during 3 months of follow-up . Eighteen patients in group I ( 12.5 % ) and 11 patients in group II ( 45.8 % ) had recurrence ( p = 0.01 , log-rank test ) . With the Cox proportional model , the predictors of recurrence included a body mass index of 25 to 30 kg/m2 ( relative risk [ RR ] 0.07 , 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] 0.008 to 0.59 ) , body mass index > or = 30 kg/m2 ( RR 0.24 , 95 % CI 0.08 to 0.72 ) , AF duration of > or = 3 months ( RR 0.28 , 95 % CI 0.09 to 0.83 ) , diabetes mellitus ( RR 0.34 , 95 % CI 0.12 to 0.98 ) , and left atrial diameter of > or = 45 mm ( RR 0.23 , 95 % CI 0.07 to 0.74 ) . Atorvastatin was associated with a significantly reduced risk of developing AF ( unadjusted RR 0.23 , 95 % CI 0.064 to 0.82 , p = 0.024 ) . This association remained significant after adjustment for these predictors ( adjusted RR 0.19 , 95 % CI 0.052 to 0.72 , p = 0.01 ) . High-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels at baseline were not different between the 2 groups ( p = 0.92 ) . Although the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels decreased significantly 48 hours after EC compared with the baseline levels in group I ( 2.82 + /- 1.46 vs 2.56 + /- 1.3 mg/dl , p = 0.02 ) , no significant change occurred in group II ( 2.87 + /- 0.8 vs 2.84 + /- 0.8 mg/dl , p = 0.09 ) . In conclusion , atorvastatin decreased the recurrence rate of AF after EC
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 .