[n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, heart rate variability and ventricular arrhythmias in post-AMI-patients. A clinical controlled trial].
There is evidence for an antiarrhythmic effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) in animals. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of dietary n-3 PUFA on ventricular arrhythmias and heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with a previous myocardial infarction. Fifty-five patients were randomized to receive either 5.2 g of n-3 PUFA daily for 12 weeks or placebo in a double blind, placebo-controlled study. Prior to randomization a 24-hour Holter recording was obtained, and this was repeated at the end of the study. The major end-points were the number of ventricular extrasystoles (VE)/24 hours and the 24-hour HRV. A non-significant decrease in VE/24 hours was found in both the n-3 PUFA group and among controls after dietary supplementation, whereas HRV significantly increased after n-3 PUFA compared to both baseline values (p = 0.04) and to controls (p = 0.01). The present study therefore supports the hypothesis that n-3 PUFA may have an anti-arrhythmic effect in humans.
Christensen
J H
JH
Aalborg Sygehus, medicinsk endokrinologisk afdeling.
Gustenhoff
P
P
Korup
E
E
Aarøe
J
J
Toft
E
E
Møller
J M
JM
Rasmussen
K
K
Dyerberg
J
J
Schmidt
E B
EB
D000368:Aged; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011379:Prognosis
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3