Key result
Addition of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to amiodarone did not reduce the recurrence of atrial fibrillation compared to amiodarone alone (39.1% vs 37.5%, p=1) after electrical cardioversion.
Why the study?
Does the addition of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to amiodarone reduce the recurrence of atrial fibrillation and inflammation in patients undergoing electrical cardioversion?
RCT (n=47)
Does the addition of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to amiodarone reduce the recurrence of atrial fibrillation and inflammation in patients undergoing electrical cardioversion?
Adding n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to amiodarone does not improve sinus rhythm maintenance or reduce inflammation after electrical cardioversion for atrial fibrillation.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Does not support adding n-3 PUFA to amiodarone post-cardioversion; confirms no benefit for sinus rhythm maintenance in this RCT.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present prospective randomized study was to evaluate the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on recurrence rates of atrial fibrillation (AF) and inflammation after electrical cardioversion. METHODS: Calculation of the number of patients needed was based on the assumption of 20% and 65% chance of maintaining sinus rhythm with amiodarone and with polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. To observe a significant difference with an alpha level of 0.05 and a power of 0.80 it was necessary to include 22 patients in each group. A total of 47 patients were randomized to amiodarone (n=24) and amiodarone plus n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n=23) groups before scheduled electrical cardioversion. The end-point was the recurrence of AF during 12-month follow-up. Effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on inflammation was evaluated with high sensitivity C-reactive protein level measurements. Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired Student' t, Mann Whitney U and Chi-square tests. We analyzed the recurrence of AF using the Cox proportional hazards regression model to control for potentially confounding factors. RESULTS: Nine patients in the amiodarone group (37.5%), and 9 patients in the amiodarone plus n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids group (39.1%) had recurrence of AF during follow-up (p=1). With the Cox proportional model, risk factors for the recurrence of AF were previous electrical cardioversion (HR 10.33, 95% CI 1.74 to 61.10, p=0.01) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (HR 1.07, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.38, p=0.007). High sensitivity C-reactive protein levels at baseline, at day 15 and during AF recurrence were similar between two groups (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids administration does not reduce the recurrence rates of atrial fibrillation and inflammation.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Özaydın et al. (2011) conducted an RCT in Atrial fibrillation (n=47). amiodarone plus n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids vs. amiodarone was evaluated on recurrence of AF during 12-month follow-up (p=1). Addition of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids to amiodarone did not reduce the recurrence of atrial fibrillation compared to amiodarone alone (39.1% vs 37.5%, p=1) after electrical cardioversion.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: