BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether statin agents provide clinical benefit in preventing the relapse of atrial fibrillation (AF) after electrical cardioversion (EC). The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of statin agents on the recurrence of AF after EC by conducting a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search of Medline, EMBASE, ISI Web of Science, and Cochrane databases. RCTs comparing clinical endpoint of the recurrence of AF associated with statin administration vs. no statin treatment (placebo or conventional medical therapy) in patients with AF after EC were eligible. Combined results are presented as risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS: A total of 5 trials with 524 patients were available for analysis. The pooling analysis showed that statin agents significantly reduced the recurrence of AF after EC compared with no statin treatment (RR=0.76, 95% CI 0.63–0.92; p=0.004; I2=44%). The beneficial effect was shown both in AF subjects receiving atorvastatin or rosuvastatin treatment (atorvastatin 80 mg: RR=0.82, p=0.05; atorvastatin 10 mg: RR=0.27, p=0.03; rosuvastatin: RR=0.38, p=0.04) and in younger patients (<65 years; RR=0.58, p=0.0005). Furthermore, the benefit of statin agents on preventing AF recurrence after EC was demonstrated within 3-month follow-up (p=0.03), and the clinical benefit seemed likely to remain until no less than 12 months after EC (p=0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Based on the currently available data, administration of statin agents, especially atorvastatin or rosuvastatin, is beneficial in lowering the frequency of AF recurrence after EC.

Keywords: Atrial Fibrillation - etiology, Electric Countershock - adverse effects, Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - therapeutic use, Odds Ratio, Publication Bias, Recurrence