Antiarrhythmic effects of n-3 fatty acids: evidence from human studies.
OBJECTIVE
N-3 fatty acids from fish reduce cardiovascular mortality including sudden cardiac death. In this paper, the authors discuss the results of human studies with regard to the hypothesis that n-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of fatal coronary heart disease through antiarrhythmic effects.


RESULTS
Results from two recent clinical trials do not support a protective effect of n-3 fatty acids. In light of the earlier published bulk of evidence that n-3 fatty acids reduce cardiovascular mortality and sudden cardiac death, it is hard to explain these findings. Two recent observational studies confirmed that intake of n-3 fatty acids from fish is associated with less cardiovascular disease in the general population. They indicated that the protective effect of a fish meal may depend on the n-3 fatty acid content or preparation method and suggested a protective effect on arrhythmia rather than on atherosclerosis. Intervention studies on electrophysiological predictors of arrhythmia do not clearly confirm a beneficial effect of n-3 fatty acids. However, most of these studies were small or performed in healthy populations.


CONCLUSIONS
The available evidence still suggests that n-3 fatty acids may prevent fatal cardiac arrhythmia, but more conclusive studies are urgently needed.
Geelen
Anouk
A
Wageningen Centre for Food Sciences and Division of Human Nutrition, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands. anouk.geelen@wur.nl
Brouwer
Ingeborg A
IA
Zock
Peter L
PL
Katan
Martijn B
MB
D000818:Animals; D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D016757:Death, Sudden, Cardiac / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans
D000889:Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3