Association of statin therapy and the risk of atrial fibrillation in patients with a permanent pacemaker.

Background: Recent studies have shown conflicting results regarding a protective effect of statin therapy on atrial fibrillation (AF).

Hypothesis: We sought to determine whether statins are effective in reducing the risk of developing arrhythmia in a cohort of 264 patients (49% women, mean age [+/-standard deviation] 71 [+/-12] years) with permanent pacemakers who are at high risk for AF.

Methods: All patients who underwent implantation of a permanent pacemaker over a 3-year period were eligible for inclusion in the study.

Efficacy of substituting innovator propafenone for its generic formulation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

The clinical outcomes of 114 patients with atrial fibrillation who had been treated with the innovator propafenone, and in whom the drug was then replaced with generic propafenone because of cost containment, were compared. The generic formulation was found to be at least as safe and effective as the innovator drug, with regard to atrial fibrillation recurrence, emergency room and hospital admissions, and necessity for concomitant therapy.