In a study presented at the recent Heart Rhythm Society Scientific Sessions in New Orleans, investigators reported that taking omega-3 fatty acids for a week prior to coronary artery bypass grafting reduced the risk of developing post-operative atrial fibrillation.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been reported to reduce the incidence of certain cardiac arrhythmias. Doctors in Rome, Italy wanted to test the proposition that omega-3 fatty acids would lower the risk of atrial fibrillation after bypass surgery. Post-op atrial fibrillation is seen in 20 - 30% of patients after bypass, and this arrhythmia often slows the surgical recovery process. So, they randomized 160 patients scheduled for bypass surgery to either "usual care" or to "usual care" plus two grams per day of fish oil for one week prior to surgery. They found that post-op atrial fibrillation was reduced in the patients treated with omega-3 fatty acids by 58%.
DrRich comments:
This study is relatively small and does not offer definitive proof that fish oil helps prevent atrial fibrillation. However, it is consistent with prior observations that patients with a high intake of omega-3 fatty acids have a reduced risk of arrhythmias. Larger studies will need to be done to absolutely prove this effect, and to characterize just how omega-3 fatty acid might reduce cardiac fibrillation. You can wait for those studies if you want to.
Omega-3 fatty acids are found in fish oil, flax seed, and various nuts.
