title: The impact of suppressing the renin-angiotensin system on atrial fibrillation.
abstract: Atrial fibrillation is very common in the United States. After a search of Medline, EMBASE, and CINAHL, 4 trials evaluating inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system were identified for prevention of new-onset atrial fibrillation, facilitation of electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation, and prevention of atrial fibrillation recurrence after electrical cardioversion. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Use of an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor or angiotensin-receptor blocker (ARB) was associated with a reduction in new-onset atrial fibrillation (OR [95% CI] = 0.51 [0.36-0.72]), a lower failure rate of electrical cardioversion of atrial fibrillation (0.47 [0.24-0.92]), and a lower rate of recurrence of atrial fibrillation after electrical cardioversion (0.39 [0.20-0.75]). With the exception of the new-onset atrial fibrillation analysis, these findings were not associated with statistical heterogeneity. These hypothesis-generating data suggest that inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system may provide benefit across the spectrum of atrial fibrillation.
authors.affiliation: Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Wayne State University, 259 Mack Avenue, Suite 2190, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: James S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kalus
authors.forename: Craig I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.forename: C Michael
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: White
mesh_terms: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004554:Electric Countershock; D004656:Enalapril / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D019808:Losartan / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012084:Renin-Angiotensin System / Q000187:drug effects*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014633:Valine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000068756:Valsartan
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D007211:Indoles; D013777:Tetrazoles; C052035:trandolapril; D004656:Enalapril; D000068756:Valsartan; D014633:Valine; D019808:Losartan