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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
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Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers decrease the incidence of atrial
Gang Huang1, Jun-bo Xu, Jian-xiong Liu
1Department of Cardiology, the Second People's Hospital of Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. oigg1982@gmail.com
European Journal of Clinical Investigation
|January 22, 2011
Summary
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) effectively reduce the incidence of atrial fibrillation (AF). These medications are beneficial for both primary and secondary prevention of AF, particularly in at-risk patient groups.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Clinical Trials
Background:
- Disagreement exists on the antiarrhythmic effects of ACEIs and ARBs on AF.
- This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of ACEIs and ARBs in reducing AF incidence.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the effectiveness of ACEIs and ARBs in preventing atrial fibrillation.
- To determine if these drug classes reduce AF incidence in primary and secondary prevention settings.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Searched Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases (1950-May 2009).
- Included 21 trials with 91,381 patients and 5730 AF events, using a random effects model.
Main Results:
- ACEIs/ARBs significantly reduced the overall relative risk of AF by 25%.
- Reduced AF incidence by 24% in primary prevention and 27% in secondary prevention.
- Showed significant benefits in patients with hypertension, chronic heart failure, and existing AF.
Conclusions:
- ACEIs and ARBs are effective in preventing atrial fibrillation.
- These agents are valuable for both primary and secondary AF prevention.
- Particular benefit observed in patients with hypertension, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation.
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