Potential use of statins in reducing atrial fibrillation after off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting surgery.

trial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication after cardiac surgery and has important implications.1 Postoperative AF leads to prolonged hospital stay and increases hospitalization costs.2 Although the pathophysiology is not fully understood, the causes are likely multifactorial, including atrial myocyte alterations or atrial myocarditis, operative trauma, enhanced sympathetic nervous system activity, ischemic injury to the atria, atrial distension from fluid overload, chemical stimulation, and pericarditis.3 Above all, several clinical studies suggest that inflammation might play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of postoperative AF.4