Do omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce risk of sudden cardiac death and ventricular arrhythmias? A meta-analysis of randomized trials

• Published in: Heart & lung Vol. 42; no. 4; pp. 251 - 256
• Main Authors: Khoueiry, Georges, MD, Abi Rafeh, Nidal, MD, Sullivan, Erinmarie, MD, Saiful, Faisal, MD, Jaffery, Zehra, MD, Kenigsberg, David N., MD, Krishnan, Subramaniam C., MD, Khanal, Sanjaya, MD, Bekheit, Soad, MD, Kowalski, Marcin, MD
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Mosby, Inc 01.07.2013; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Arrhythmias; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - epidemiology; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - prevention & control; Cardiac arrhythmia; Cardiovascular; Cardiovascular disease; Clinical trials; Critical Care; Death, Sudden, Cardiac - epidemiology; Death, Sudden, Cardiac - prevention & control; Defibrillators, Implantable; Dietary Supplements; Disease prevention; Fatty acids; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 - therapeutic use; Female; Fish oil; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Pulmonary/Respiratory; Risk; Sudden cardiac death; Tachycardia, Ventricular - drug therapy; Ventricular Fibrillation - drug therapy; Sudden cardiac death; Fish oil; Arrhythmias; Dietary supplements
• ISSN: 0147-9563; 1527-3288
• DOI: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2013.03.006

Abstract Introduction Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) have demonstrated to have antiarrhythmic properties. However, randomized studies have shown inconsistent results. Objective We aimed to analyze the effect of omega-3 PUFA on preventing potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Methods Randomized trials comparing omega-3 PUFA to placebo and reporting sudden cardiac death (SCD) or first implanted cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) event for ventricular tachycardia or fibrillation were included in this study. A meta-analysis using a random effects model was performed and results were expressed in terms of Odds Ratio (OR) and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) after evaluating for interstudy heterogeneity using I2 . The reported data were extracted on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle. Results A total of 32,919 patients were included in nine trials; 16,465 patients received omega-3 PUFA and 16,454 received placebo. When comparing omega-3 PUFA to placebo, there was nonsignificant risk reduction of SCD or ventricular arrhythmias (OR = 0.82 [95% CI: 0.60–1.21], p  = 0.21 I2  = 49.7%). Conclusion Dietary supplementation with omega-3 PUFA does not affect the risk of SCD or ventricular arrhythmias.