IntravenousCorticosteroid Use Is Associated With Reduced Early Recurrence of Atrial Fibrillation Immediately Following Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation.

Early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (ERAF) occurs in up to 40% of patients after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation (RFCA), increasing hospital stay, need for anti-arrhythmic medications (AADs) and cardioversion, and, possibly, the risk of future AF. It has been postulated that inflammation plays a key role in developing ERAF. Short term postoperative use of corticosteroids to reduce ERAF post-RFCA has not been vigorously studied.

The effects of statins on skeletal muscle strength and exercise performance.

Purpose Of Review: HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors or statins are associated with a variety of muscle side-effects but little is known about the effect of statins on skeletal muscle strength and exercise performance. We performed a literature search to examine these issues.

Recent Findings: We identified six studies examining the effect of statins on muscle strength and nine studies examining their effect on exercise tolerance.

Effect of statins on atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a duration- and dose-response meta-analysis.

Objective: This meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials evaluated effects of statins on postoperative atrial fibrillation risk after cardiac surgery.

Methods: Randomized, controlled trials evaluating statins in cardiac surgery were selected from MEDLINE (1996-August 2009), Cochrane CENTRAL Register, and manual review of references without any language restrictions. End points examined included postoperative atrial fibrillation, intensive care unit stay, and total hospital stay.