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Ct13 prevention of atrial fibrillation after cabg with omega-3 polyunsaturated Fatty acids.

Cole CM, Kostner KM, Mundy J, Marwick T, Peters P

Princess Alexandra Hospital, Queensland, Australia.

Purpose Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common complication of cardiothoracic surgery, occurring in more than 30% of patients undergoing CABG. Postoperative AF results in thromboembolic events, haemodynamic compromise and an increase in length and cost of hospitalisation. Any intervention that reduces the incidence of postoperative AF should result in fewer complications in addition to being of important economic benefit. Increased consumption of oily fish or Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid (PUFA) supplements substantially lowers the risk of sudden cardiac death and myocardial infarction both in primary and secondary prevention trials, through a reduction in fatal arrhythmias. Omega-3 PUFAs may also play a role in the treatment of AF as shown by cell culture research, animal models and a recent prospective observation study in 5000 elderly adults. With respect to postoperative AF, a recent Italian randomized controlled study in 160 patients showed that Omega-3 PUFA administration during hospitalisation in patients undergoing CABG reduced the incidence of postoperative AF by 54% and led to a shorter hospital stay. Methodology We have undertaken a randomized, placebo controlled, prospective trial of Omega-3 PUFAs in patients undergoing CABG to examine its effect on the incidence of AF within 30 days and variations in length of hospital stay. We have also developed a clinically relevant measurement of the concentrations of the PUFA arachidonic acid and the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in patients with and without atrial fibrillation. Results We are presenting interim results of the first 80 patients enrolled in the trial.

Published 10 May 2007 in ANZ J Surg, 77: A10.
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