Association between n-3 fatty acid consumption and ventricular ectopy after myocardial infarction.

Source: Patrick J Smith, James A Blumenthal, Michael A Babyak, Anastasia Georgiades, Andrew Sherwood, Michael H Sketch, Jr and Lana L Watkins

Background: n–3 (omega-3) Fatty acids are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease; however, the relation between dietary intake of n–3 fatty acids and ventricular arrhythmias has not been investigated among acute post-myocardial infarction (AMI) patients—a group at elevated risk of malignant arrhythmias.

Objective: The objective was to examine the association between n–3 fatty acid consumption and ventricular ectopy among AMI patients.

Design: In 260 AMI patients, dietary intake of n–3 fatty acids was assessed by using the Harvard food-frequency questionnaire, and ventricular ectopy was estimated from 24-h electrocardiograph recordings.

Results: A greater intake of n–3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid + docosapentaenoic acid + -linolenic acid) was associated with lower ventricular ectopy (β = –0.35, P = 0.011), and this effect remained after cardiovascular comorbidities were controlled for (β = –0.47, P = 0.003). Higher concentrations of both marine-based (eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid) (β = –0.21, P = 0.060) and plant-based (-linolenic acid) (β = –0.33, P = 0.024) fatty acids remained associated with lower ventricular ectopy after cardiovascular comorbidities were controlled for.

Conclusion: These findings extend existing evidence linking n–3 fatty acid consumption to a reduced risk of ventricular arrhythmias by showing that a greater intake of n–3 fatty acids may be associated with low ventricular ectopy among AMI patients.

Full Article »

Foward to an Associate