title: [Effect of omega-3 fatty acids on the prevention of atrial arrhythmias].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The effects of omega-3 fatty acids on membrane stabilization are well known. Reduction of ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death has been reported; fewer data exist regarding the effects on atrial arrhythmias. The object of this report is to evaluate the reduction of atrial arrhythmia-fibrillation after treatment with omega-3, in patients with dual-chamber pacemakers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We have examined 40 patients with paroxysmal atrial tachyarrhythmia recorded at the periodic pacemaker controls. At the study entry, all patients were treated with omega-3 (1 g/die); no changes in the device programmation and in the previous pharmacological therapy were allowed. The devices were interrogated after 4 months of treatment to evaluate the number of episodes and the burden of atrial tachyarrhythmia. At this time, the treatment was discontinued and the patients were reevaluated 4 months later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two patients discontinued the treatment complaining of adverse gastroentheric effects. The episodes of atrial tachyarrhythmia in the pre-treatment period resulted 444 +/- 1161, and the burden 3.89% of time; in the treatment period resulted respectively 181 +/- 436 (-59%, p = 0.037) and 1.06% (-67%, p = 0.029). After drug withdrawal, the episodes of atrial tachyarrhythmia raised to 552 +/- 1717 (p = 0.065) and the burden to 2.69% (p = 0.003).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data suggest a powerful effect of omega-3 fatty acids in the reduction of atrial tachyarrhythmia-fibrillation in these patients, without significant adverse effects.
authors.affiliation: Cardiologia-UTIC, Ospedale San Giacomo, Roma. francesco.biscione@poste.it
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Biscione
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Totteri
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: De Vita
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lo Bianco
authors.forename: Giuliano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Altamura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D010138:Pacemaker, Artificial; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3