31 August 2009
Statins and amiodarone improve freedom from recurrence of atrial fibrillation after successful cardioversion
Franjo NajiABCDEF, David SuranBCF, Vojko KanicAG, Damijan VokacDF, Miso SabovicADEMed Sci Monit 2009; 15(9): CR494-498 :: ID: 878181
Abstract
Background
Amiodarone is effective in preventing atrial fibrillation (AF). Recently, the possible antiarrhythmic effects of statins have been revealed. We hypothesized that statins added to amiodarone may reduce the recurrence rate of AF after successful electrical cardioversion (EC).
Material and Method
The retrospective analysis included 198 consecutive patients (63+/-10 years; 56% men) with persistent AF (lasting at least one month, average 5.8+/-7.6 months) who underwent successful EC. All patients were put on long-time treatment with amiodarone according to standard protocol prior to EC; 50 patients (25%) also received statin therapy. AF recurrence was recorded in the following two years.
Results
Recurrence of AF occurred less frequently in patients receiving statins and amiodarone than in those receiving amiodarone only (24 (48.0%) vs. 95 (64.1%) patients). The mean AF-free period was significantly prolonged in the statin-amiodarone group (513+/-38 days vs. 374+/-25 days, log rank test P<0.02). Cox univariate analysis showed that treatment with statins and the duration of AF before EC were significant predictors for AF recurrence. After adjustment for other potential confounders, statin therapy proved to be a statistically significant predictor of sinus rhythm maintenance (adjusted OR 0.60, 95% CI 0.38 to 0.93, P=0.02).
Conclusions
Our study shows that adding statins to amiodarone significantly decreases the recurrence rate of AF after successful EC in patients with persistent AF. Our findings urge for prospective randomized studies to be performed in order to confirm these results and elucidate the role of statins in AF prevention.
Keywords: Recurrence - prevention & control, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - therapeutic use, Electric Countershock, Atrial Fibrillation - therapy, Anti-Arrhythmia Agents - therapeutic use, Amiodarone - therapeutic use
Editorial
01 May 2024 : Editorial
Editorial: First Regulatory Approval for Adoptive Cell Therapy with Autologous Tumor-Infiltrating Lymphocytes (TILs) – Lifileucel (Amtagvi)DOI: 10.12659/MSM.944927
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e944927
In Press
12 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Comparing Neuromuscular Blockade Measurement Between Upper Arm (TOF Cuff®) and Eyelid (TOF Scan®) Using Miv...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943630
11 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Enhancement of Frozen-Thawed Human Sperm Quality with Zinc as a Cryoprotective AdditiveMed Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.942946
12 Mar 2024 : Database Analysis
Risk Factors of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in a Population-Based Study: Results from SHIP-TREND-1 (St...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943140
12 Mar 2024 : Clinical Research
Preoperative Blood Transfusion Requirements for Hemorrhoidal Severe Anemia: A Retrospective Study of 128 Pa...Med Sci Monit In Press; DOI: 10.12659/MSM.943126
Most Viewed Current Articles
17 Jan 2024 : Review article
Vaccination Guidelines for Pregnant Women: Addressing COVID-19 and the Omicron VariantDOI :10.12659/MSM.942799
Med Sci Monit 2024; 30:e942799
14 Dec 2022 : Clinical Research
Prevalence and Variability of Allergen-Specific Immunoglobulin E in Patients with Elevated Tryptase LevelsDOI :10.12659/MSM.937990
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e937990
16 May 2023 : Clinical Research
Electrophysiological Testing for an Auditory Processing Disorder and Reading Performance in 54 School Stude...DOI :10.12659/MSM.940387
Med Sci Monit 2023; 29:e940387
01 Jan 2022 : Editorial
Editorial: Current Status of Oral Antiviral Drug Treatments for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Non-Hospitalized Pa...DOI :10.12659/MSM.935952
Med Sci Monit 2022; 28:e935952