Heart rhythm : the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society
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While the mechanism underlying the development of post-cardiothoracic surgery atrial fibrillation has not been fully elucidated, it has been suggested that inflammation may play a causative role. Corticosteroids have been traditionally used to reduce inflammation, and when administered perioperatively, they may decrease the incidence of atrial fibrillation. ⋯ Corticosteroids appear to reduce the incidence of post-cardiothoracic surgery atrial fibrillation and shorten hospital length of stay in randomized controlled trials.