Potential use of statins to prevent atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass surgery

The Annals of Pharmacotherapy
Patricia A Howard, Brian J Barnes

Abstract

To review the published literature evaluating the effectiveness of statin therapy for preventing postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. A MEDLINE search was performed (1950-October 2007) using the search terms statins, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, coronary artery bypass graft, cardiac surgery, and atrial fibrillation. All articles published in English describing or evaluating the use of statins in humans to prevent atrial fibrillation (AF) were included. Additional pertinent articles were identified from reference lists. POAF is a common complication following CABG surgery that is associated with significant morbidity. Current preventive strategies include the use of beta-blockers and antiarrhythmic drugs such as amiodarone and sotalol. Accumulating evidence suggests that statins may also reduce the risk of POAF. Numerous studies in nonsurgical cardiovascular patients have found reduced rates of AF with statins. In patients who have undergone CABG, several observational studies have also documented benefit. One randomized controlled trial reported a significant reduction in the risk of POAF and reduced length of hospital stay in patients given preoperative atorvastatin begin...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jun 3, 2008·American Heart Journal·Maciej BanachJacek Rysz
Sep 23, 2014·The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery·Ashraf A SabeFrank W Sellke
May 13, 2011·The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews·Jan M DielemanOlaf M Dekkers
Feb 24, 2015·Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology·Mohit K TuragamArshad Jahangir

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