| In a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials analyzing the effects of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids as a prophylactic therapy in the prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, results from 3 publications, involving a total of 431 patients, were analyzed, and the authors found that when pooling the data, the reduction in risk of POAF was not significant (RR=0.89), however, a trend towards a benefit from omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation was found when the EPA/DHA ratio was 1:2 and when pre-operative beta-blocker rate was lower, according to meta-regression analysis. Further investigation is warranted. | Reference: | "Omega-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids for the prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials," Benedetto U, Angeloni E, et al, J Cardiovasc Med (Hagerstown), 2011 Aug 5; [Epub ahead of print]. (Address: Department of Cardiac Surgery, University of Rome Sapienza, Policlinico S. Andrea, Rome, Italy). | |