• Freedom from atrial arrhythmia (as opposed to atrial fibrillation) recurrence irrespective of symptoms. [ Time Frame: 3 month ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Reduction in CRP, lipid levels, and incidence of endothelial dysfunction at 3 months. [ Time Frame: 3 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Improvement in quality of life. [ Time Frame: 3 months ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]
• Measurement of healthcare resource utilization and costs. [ Time Frame: 3 month ] [ Designated as safety issue: No ]

To investigate whether statin therapy utilizing the drug Lipitor (atorvastatin) might be effective in preventing short-and long-term atrial fibrillation following a left atrial ablation procedure. We further hypothesize this reduction will result from diminished peri-procedural inflammation, which will be reflected in lower CRP values.

Although pharmacologic therapy is the traditional mainstay of therapy for AF, curative therapy has recently become possible.

There is growing evidence that inflammation may be involved in the pathogenesis of AF. C-reactive protein (CRP), a sensitive marker of systemic inflammation, is increased in patients with AF compared with patients in sinus rhythm. Elevated CRP levels are associated with increased likelihood of new onset AF and with recurrence of AF after successful cardioversion. Clinical and basic laboratory evidence suggests that, in addition to being potent lipid-lowering agents, statins may also have anti-inflammatory properties and protective effect against AF.

125 eligible patients with AF, undergoing left atrial ablation, will be randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive daily 80 mg of atorvastatin or placebo in a double-blind fashion for 3 months after their ablation procedure.

Patients will have baseline lipids, CRP, endothelial function tests (PAT)and Quality of Life (QoL) surveys compared with testing at 3 months post ablation.

• Atrial Fibrillation
• Arrhythmia
• Inflammation
• Endothelial Dysfunction

• Drug: Atorvistatin
• Drug: Placebo

• Active Comparator: Lipitor (atorvastatin),80 mg daily for 90 days
• Placebo Comparator: Placebo once daily by mouth for 90 days.

• Aviles RJ, Martin DO, Apperson-Hansen C, Houghtaling PL, Rautaharju P, Kronmal RA, Tracy RP, Van Wagoner DR, Psaty BM, Lauer MS, Chung MK. Inflammation as a risk factor for atrial fibrillation. Circulation. 2003 Dec 16;108(24):3006-10. Epub 2003 Nov 17.
• Malouf JF, Kanagala R, Al Atawi FO, Rosales AG, Davison DE, Murali NS, Tsang TS, Chandrasekaran K, Ammash NM, Friedman PA, Somers VK. High sensitivity C-reactive protein: a novel predictor for recurrence of atrial fibrillation after successful cardioversion. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005 Oct 4;46(7):1284-7.
• Patti G, Chello M, Candura D, Pasceri V, D'Ambrosio A, Covino E, Di Sciascio G. Randomized trial of atorvastatin for reduction of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery: results of the ARMYDA-3 (Atorvastatin for Reduction of MYocardial Dysrhythmia After cardiac surgery) study. Circulation. 2006 Oct 3;114(14):1455-61. Epub 2006 Sep 25.
• Bonetti PO, Pumper GM, Higano ST, Holmes DR Jr, Kuvin JT, Lerman A. Noninvasive identification of patients with early coronary atherosclerosis by assessment of digital reactive hyperemia. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2004 Dec 7;44(11):2137-41.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients > or = to 18 years of age
• Clinically indicated left atrial ablation procedure for atrial fibrillation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Exclusion criteria are known malignancy
• Known inflammatory disease
• Surgery or trauma or myocardial infarction in the previous month
• Known contraindication to statin therapy
• Elevated liver enzymes two times normal
• Patients already receiving therapy with any statin, niacin or fibrates at the time of their randomization