Can a common cholesterol drug shield the heart after lung surgery?

This trial investigates whether a short course of atorvastatin, a widely used statin, can prevent atrial fibrillation—a rapid, irregular heartbeat—in adults aged 60 and older undergoing lung surgery. Participants are randomly assigned to receive either atorvastatin or a placebo for a few days before and after their operation. The study uses continuous heart monitoring for 72 hours after surgery to detect any abnormal rhythms, aiming to see if this simple intervention can reduce a common postoperative complication.