Beneficial effects of statin therapy for prevention of atrial fibrillation following DDDR pacemaker implantation.
OBJECTIVE
Data suggest that atrial pacing, statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme-inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blocking drugs prevent atrial tachycardia/atrial fibrillation (AT/AF) in some patients. The clinical predictors of at/af recurrence following dual-chamber pacemaker insertion were examined in 185 consecutive patients with paroxysmal AF.


RESULTS
Predictors of AT/AF recurrence were evaluated in this observational cohort study. The time to first AT/AF recurrence and AT/AF burden (h/day) was retrieved at each follow-up visit by interrogating the pacemaker. AT/AF recurred following pacemaker implantation in 157 (85%) patients. At 1 year of follow-up, patients without recurrence were more likely to be on statin therapy (54%) when compared with patients without statin therapy (25%, chi = 12.31, P = 0.0004). Statin therapy was the only significant predictor of AT/AF recurrence in a multivariate logistic regression model (adjusted odds ratio 0.33, 95% confidence interval 0.14-0.74, P = 0.007). AT/AF burden was significantly lower in the group on statin therapy (median 0.10 h/day) when compared with the group not on statin therapy (median 0.39 h/day, P = 0.0059).


CONCLUSIONS
AT/AF recurs frequently following pacemaker implantation in patients with sinus node disease. The progression to permanent AF remains low over time. Statin therapy was significantly associated with AT/AF suppression.
Gillis
Anne M
AM
Department of Cardiac Sciences, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary and Calgary Health Region, Calgary, AB, Canada. amgillis@ucalgary.ca
Morck
Margaret
M
Exner
Derek V
DV
Soo
Andrea
A
Rose
M Sarah
MS
Sheldon
Robert S
RS
Duff
Henry J
HJ
Kavanagh
Katherine M
KM
Mitchell
L Brent
LB
Wyse
D George
DG
D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002304:Cardiac Pacing, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors