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	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

We read with great interest the recent case-control study by van der Hooft et al,¹ which showed that high-dose corticosteroid therapy increased the risk of developing AF in a population-based cohort, and they also presented some potential mechanisms that may contribute to this association. However, Dernellis and Panaretou² demonstrated that low-dose glucocorticoid therapy following successful cardioversion of persistent AF could prevent recurrent AF, and this effect correlated with a significant reduction of C-reactive protein levels. Furthermore, another prospective randomized study³ also showed that short-term corticosteroid administration in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting significantly reduced postoperative AF. The protective effects of corticosteroid therapy on AF are possibly explained by anti-inflammatory mechanisms.^4-5

How can we evaluate these divergent results? We think the risks or benefits of corticosteroids on AF are mainly dependent on the drug dosage and patient selection. High-dose corticosteroid administration may increase the risk of AF in the general . . . [Full Text of this Article]

AUTHOR INFORMATION
Tong Liu, MD; Guangping Li, MD, PhD

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ABSTRACT | FULL TEXT