The HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor atorvastatin prevents atrial fibrillation by inhibiting inflammation in a canine sterile pericarditis model

Objective: It has been recently reported that AF is associated with tissue inflammation. Statins reduce C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. However, the effect of statin on atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of statin on AF in a canine sterile pericarditis model. Methods: Sterile pericarditis was created in 20 dogs randomly assigned to two groups: a control group (10 dogs) and an atorvastatin treatment group (10 dogs). Atorvastatin was administered orally (2 mg/kg/day) beginning 1 week before the operation until the end of the study. Before and 2 days after the operation, CRP levels, the duration of induced AF, the atrial effective refractory period (AERP), and intra-atrial conduction time were determined. Results: Before the operation, there were no significant differences in any of the parameters between the two groups. On the second postoperative day, the atorvastatin group had a lower CRP level (7.6 +/- 0.5 versus 11.7 +/- 1.3 mg/dl, P < 0.0001), a shorter AF duration (177 +/- 57 versus 534 +/- 189 s, P < 0.0001), a longer AER-P (138 +/- 6 versus 130 +/- 6 ins, P < 0.01), and a shorter intra-atrial conduction time (46 +/- 3 versus 51 +/- 5 ms, P < 0.01) than the control group. Conclusions: Atorvastatin can prevent maintenance of AF by inhibiting inflammation in the canine sterile pericarditis model. Atorvastatin may thus be a novel therapeutic agent for AF. (C) 2004 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.