A Meta-Analysis On Randomized Controlled Trial Of Statins To Prevent Atrial Fibrillation

Background: Recent clinical trials have demonstrated that statins may have role to prevent atrial fibrillation (AF) but results have varied.Objective: The purpose of this paper was to make a synthesis of the available evidence on the efficacy of using statins in the prevention of recurrent and new-onset atrial fibrillation.Methods: A systematic literature search have conducted by September 15, 2007. All the papers of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about the treatment of statins for patients with persistent AF after electrical cardioversion, paroxysmal and postoperative AF was identified. Meta-analysis was performed by using the statistical software RevMan4.3 on the basis of strict quality evaluation on studies of RCT.Results: Five RCT studies including 470 Patients were chosen to evaluate the efficacy of statins therapy.The test for heterogeneity In all included studies was significant. A random effects model of Meta-analysis was conducted. Compared with placebo or no statins treatment, The significant diference in pooled efficacy of statins on patients with AF:the total Relative Risk (RR) was 0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.43-0.88. test for overall effect: Z=2.66,P=0.008. Sensitivity analysis suggested that the results have a good reliability. No significant publication bias has been found.Conclusion: The statins may decrease risk of AF recurrence or postoperative AF.