Does treatment with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids prevent atrial fibrillation after open heart surgery?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) treatment on the incidence of post-operative atrial fibrillation (POAF).


RESULTS
A prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in patients admitted for coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valvular repair surgery. The patients received either n-3 PUFA capsules, containing a daily dose of 1240 mg eicosapentaenoic acid and 1000 mg docosahexaenoic acid, or olive oil capsules for 5-7 days prior to surgery and post-operatively until hospital discharge. The endpoint was POAF, defined as an episode detected by continuous electrocardiographic monitoring, lasting >5 min. A total of 170 patients were enrolled in the study, and 168 patients underwent surgery. Their median age was 67 (range 43-82) years, and 79.2% were males. There was no difference in baseline characteristics between the n-3 PUFA group (n = 83) and the placebo group (n = 85), and the incidence of POAF was 54.2 and 54.1% (P = 0.99), respectively. Factors associated with POAF included advanced age, peak post-operative C-reactive protein level, valvular surgery, lower body mass index, and non-smoking, but n-3 PUFA concentration in plasma lipids was not associated with POAF.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence for a beneficial effect of treatment with n-3 PUFA on the occurrence of POAF in patients undergoing open heart surgery.
Heidarsdottir
Ragnhildur
R
Department of Physiology, School of Health Sciences, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland.
Arnar
David O
DO
Skuladottir
Gudrun V
GV
Torfason
Bjarni
B
Edvardsson
Vidar
V
Gottskalksson
Gizur
G
Palsson
Runolfur
R
Indridason
Olafur S
OS
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D017211:Treatment Failure
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid