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Review
. 2012 Oct 6;5(3):593.
doi: 10.4022/jafib.593. eCollection 2012 Oct-Nov.

Should Physicians Continue to Recommend Fish Oil for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation?

Victoria M Robinson  1 , Peter R Kowey  2
Affiliations
Review

Should Physicians Continue to Recommend Fish Oil for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation?

Victoria M Robinson et al. J Atr Fibrillation. .

Abstract

Many physicians recommend the use of fish oil or omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients. N-3 PUFA have demonstrated anti-fibrillatory properties in several animal studies, however, data regarding their efficacy in preventing AF in humans have been mixed. This article critically reviews studies that have investigated the use of n-3 PUFA for the secondary prevention of paroxysmal and persistent AF and the primary prevention of post-operative AF. We conclude that n-3 PUFA should no longer be recommended for use in any of these AF subtypes until more data are available.

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