Persisting thrombin activity in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation on oral anticoagulation is decreased by anti-inflammatory therapy with intensive cholesterol-lowering treatment.

Background: It has been demonstrated that the occurrence of ischemic stroke is more prevalent in AF patients, when increased levels of inflammatory markers are present.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of intensive cholesterol lowering therapy on inflammatory markers and evidence of thrombotic in elderly AF patients treated with OAC.

Methods: 34 elderly patients (69-85 yrs) were randomized to double blind treatment with atorvastatin 40 mg plus ezetimibe 10 mg (n = 17) or double placebo (n = 17) for one year.

One-year cholesterol lowering treatment reduces medial temporal lobe atrophy and memory decline in stroke-free elderly with atrial fibrillation: evidence from a parallel group randomized trial.

Objectives: In elderly patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), medial temporal lobe (MTL) atrophy and white matter lesions (WML) may account for the cognitive decline. Though a combination therapy of statins with cholesterol lowering agents like ezetimibe may be beneficial in patients with AF, its effects on MTL structure and WML remains unknown.

Methods: A parallel group double-blinded randomized trial was performed during 1 year whereby elderly stroke-free AF patients either received placebo or atorvastatin and ezetimibe on top oral anticoagulation therapy.

Safety of the combination of intensive cholesterol-lowering therapy with oral anticoagulation medication in elderly patients with atrial fibrillation: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Background: The incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is very high in the elderly, and often oral anticoagulation (OAC) is indicated to prevent thromboembolism.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety of combining intensive cholesterol-lowering therapy with OAC in elderly patients with AF.

Methods: In a randomized, double-blind trial, 34 patients received OAC plus atorvastatin 40 mg/day and ezetimibe 10 mg/day versus placebo over 1 year.