Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Aims</jats:title> <jats:p>Systemic inflammation and increased activity of atrial NOX2-containing NADPH oxidases have been associated with the new onset of atrial fibrillation (AF) after cardiac surgery. In addition to lowering LDL-cholesterol, statins exert rapid anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, the clinical significance of which remains controversial.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Methods and results</jats:title> <jats:p>We first assessed the impact of cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) on atrial nitroso-redox balance by measuring NO synthase (NOS) and GTP cyclohydrolase-1 (GCH-1) activity, biopterin content, and superoxide production in paired samples of the right atrial appendage obtained before (PRE) and after CPB and reperfusion (POST) in 116 patients. The effect of perioperative treatment with atorvastatin (80 mg once daily) on these parameters, blood biomarkers, and the post-operative atrial effective refractory period (AERP) was then evaluated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 80 patients undergoing cardiac surgery on CPB. CPB and reperfusion led to a significant increase in atrial superoxide production (74% CI 71–76%, n = 46 paired samples, P &amp;lt; 0.0001) and a reduction in atrial tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) (34% CI 33–35%, n = 36 paired samples, P &amp;lt; 0.01), and in GCH-1 (56% CI 55–58%, n = 26 paired samples, P &amp;lt; 0.001) and NOS activity (58% CI 52–67%, n = 20 paired samples, P &amp;lt; 0.001). Perioperative atorvastatin treatment prevented the effect of CPB and reperfusion on all parameters but had no significant effect on the postoperative right AERP, troponin release, or NT-proBNP after cardiac surgery.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Conclusion</jats:title> <jats:p>Perioperative statin therapy prevents post-reperfusion atrial nitroso-redox imbalance in patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery but has no significant impact on postoperative atrial refractoriness, perioperative myocardial injury, or markers of postoperative LV function.</jats:p> </jats:sec> <jats:sec> <jats:title>Clinical Trial Registration</jats:title> <jats:p>https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01780740</jats:p> </jats:sec>

Original publication

DOI

10.1093/cvr/cvaa302

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cardiovascular Research

Publisher

Oxford University Press (OUP)

Publication Date

24/10/2020