Atorvastatin Treatment for Atrial Fibrillation Reduces Serum High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein Levels

Biomed Res Int. 2015:2015:402481. doi: 10.1155/2015/402481. Epub 2015 Jul 1.

Abstract

We investigated whether serum hs-CRP levels predict the efficacy of atrial fibrillation (AF) treated with atorvastatin. Bibliographic databases were exhaustively searched for studies relevant to the research topic. Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) criteria, combined with the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS), were applied for study quality assessment. Our meta-analysis identified seven cohort studies (2006~2013), providing information on the change in serum hs-CRP levels in AF patients receiving atorvastatin therapy. After atorvastatin treatment, hs-CRP level in AF patients decreased significantly (SMD = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.58-1.47, P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis by country and hs-CRP detection methods suggested a negative relationship between atorvastatin treatment and hs-CRP levels among Chinese AF patients (SMD = 1.34, 95% CI: 1.00-1.69, P < 0.001) and by using ELISA method (SMD = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.51-1.71, P < 0.001), but not among Turkish population and using INA method (all P > 0.05). Egger's test showed no publication bias (P = 0.450). hs-CRP was clearly lowered in AF patients treated with atorvastatin, which may be helpful in the choice of statin agents for AF treatment. However, longer follow-ups are necessary to assess the clinical value of lowering hs-CRP in the clinical setting of AF treatment outcomes.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Atorvastatin / therapeutic use*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / blood*
  • Atrial Fibrillation / drug therapy*
  • C-Reactive Protein / metabolism*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Odds Ratio
  • Publication Bias

Substances

  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Atorvastatin