Effects of chronic omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation on human atrial electrophysiology.

摘要

BACKGROUND: Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in fish oils may have antifibrillatory effects. Their mechanism of action in humans is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic fish oil supplementation on human atrial electrophysiology (EP). METHODS: Two groups of patients without clinical AF or structural heart disease and fish intake /=1 month before an EP study. The following were compared at time of EP study: serum omega-3 levels; right atrial and coronary sinus effective refractory periods (ERPs); interatrial, intra-atrial, left atrial, and coronary sinus conduction at baseline and the maximal conduction delay with the shortest propagated extrastimulus; and inducibility of AF (10 inductions/patient). RESULTS: The following significant differences were noted favoring the fish oil group at time of EP: (1) twofold higher total omega-3 levels (P /=30 seconds: 24.2% vs. 7.9%; P < .001); (5) shorter mean duration of induced AF (P = .003); and (6) prolongation of induced AF cycle length (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Chronic fish oil supplementation in humans prolongs atrial refractoriness and reduces vulnerability to inducible AF. These EP changes may explain the antifibrillatory effect of chronic fish oil ingestion.