Opposing roles of omega‐3 and trans polyunsaturated fatty acids in sudden cardiac death and vascular remodeling

Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may improve autonomic dysfunction, as indicated by an increase in heart rate variability (HRV) and reduce the risk of sudden cardiac death. Hence, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of marine n-3 PUFA on 24-h HRV in patients on chronic dialysis, who have a high risk of sudden cardiac death. Between June 2014 and March 2016, 112 patients on chronic dialysis from Denmark were allocated to a daily supplement of 2 g marine n-3 PUFA or control for three months in a randomized, double-blinded, controlled trial. A 48-h Holter monitoring was performed and mean 24-h HRV indices for the two days were available in 85 patients. The mean age was 62.3 years (SD: 14.3) and median dialysis vintage was 1.7 years (IQR: 0.5, 6.4). Within-group and between-group changes in outcome were evaluated by a paired and two sample t-test, respectively. Marine n-3 PUFA did not change the primary endpoint SDNN (SD of all RR-intervals) reflecting overall HRV, but other HRV indices increased and the mean RR-interval increased significantly, corresponding to a decrease in heart rate by 2.5 beats per minute (p = 0.04). In conclusion, marine n-3 PUFA did not change SDNN, but the mean heart rate was significantly reduced and changes in other HRV-indices were also observed, indicating an increase in vagal modulation that might be protective against malignant ventricular arrhythmias.

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May the best friend be an enemy if not recognized early: possible role of omega-3 against cardiovascular abnormalities due antipsychotics in the treatment of autism

Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria ◽

10.1590/s0004-282x2009000500031 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 67 (3b) ◽

pp. 922-926 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Roberta M. Cysneiros ◽

Vera C. Terra ◽

Hélio R. Machado ◽

Ricardo M. Arida ◽

José Salomão Schwartzman ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Sudden Cardiac Death ◽

Cardiac Death ◽

Protective Role ◽

Autism Spectrum ◽

Antipsychotic Treatment ◽

Omega 3 Fatty Acids ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Case Control Studies ◽

Qt Interval Prolongation

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopment disorders that cause severe and pervasive impairment in socialization, communication, and behavior. Although the availability of antipsychotic treatment in ASD has expanded, we will be very careful with side effects of these pharmacological agents. Following this reasoning, emerging data indicate that some antipsychotics may be associated with cardiovascular adverse events (e.g., QT interval prolongation), suggesting that this could be correlated to sudden death. Quite interesting, substantial evidence from epidemiological and case-control studies indicates that omega-3 reduces the risk of cardiovascular mortality, particularly sudden cardiac death. In accordance to the above mentioned findings, as omega-3 fatty acids per se have a direct cardiovascular protective role, our paper hypothesized that omega-3 fatty acids supplementation in ASD patients treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs may reduce cardiac arrhythmias and hence sudden cardiac death.

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Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death by Dietary Pure ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Dogs

Circulation ◽

10.1161/01.cir.99.18.2452 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 99 (18) ◽

pp. 2452-2457 ◽

Cited By ~ 269

Author(s):

George E. Billman ◽

Jing X. Kang ◽

Alexander Leaf

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Sudden Cardiac Death ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Cardiac Death

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Evidence for the Cardioprotective Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Annals of Pharmacotherapy ◽

10.1345/aph.1a314 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 36 (12) ◽

pp. 1950-1956 ◽

Cited By ~ 35

Author(s):

Douglas N Carroll ◽

Mary T Roth

Keyword(s):

Myocardial Infarction ◽

Fatty Acids ◽

Coronary Heart Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Sudden Cardiac Death ◽

Cardiac Death ◽

Serum Triglyceride ◽

Biomedical Literature ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Increased Risk

OBJECTIVE: To review available literature regarding the cardiovascular effects of marine-derived ω-3 fatty acids and evaluate the benefit of these fatty acids in the prevention of coronary heart disease. DATA SOURCES: Biomedical literature accessed through a MEDLINE search (1966–April 2002). Search terms included fish oil, omega-3 fatty acid, sudden death, hypertriglyceridemia, myocardial infarction, and mortality. DATA SYNTHESIS: Following an early 1970's observational investigation that ω-3 fatty acids may reduce the occurrence of myocardial infarction—related deaths in Greenland Eskimos, additional trials have been conducted that support this finding. Epidemiologic and clinical trial data suggest that ω-3 fatty acids may reduce the risk of cardiovascular-related death by 29–52%. In addition, the risk of sudden cardiac death was found to be reduced by 45–81%. Possible mechanisms for these beneficial effects include antiarrhythmic properties, improved endothelial function, antiinflammatory action, and reductions in serum triglyceride concentrations. ω-3 Fatty acids are fairly well tolerated; potential adverse effects include bloating and gastrointestinal distress, “fishy taste” in the mouth, hyperglycemia, increased risk of bleeding, and a slight increase in low-density-lipoprotein cholesterol. CONCLUSIONS: ω-3 Fatty acids may be beneficial and should be considered in patients with documented coronary heart disease. They may be particularly beneficial for patients with risk factors for sudden cardiac death.

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