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Review
. 2023 May;38(3):282-289.
doi: 10.3904/kjim.2022.266. Epub 2022 Dec 14.

Omega-3 fatty acids and atrial fibrillation

Affiliations
Review

Omega-3 fatty acids and atrial fibrillation

Ji Hye Huh et al. Korean J Intern Med. 2023 May.

Abstract

Although some clinical trials have demonstrated reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease with the use of omega-3 fatty acids, others have found an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia worldwide. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates and significant public health burden. Previous studies of the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on AF occurrence have reported contradictory results. Here we reviewed the effect of omega-3 fatty acids on the risk of AF.

Keywords: Atrial fibrillation; Cardiovascular diseases; Clinical trials; Fatty acids, omega-3; Triglycerides.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of interest

The authors disclose no conflicts.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on the risk of atrial fibrillation. HR, hazard ratio; CI, confidence interval; VITAL, Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial; ASCEND, A Study of Cardiovascular Events in Diabetes; STRENGTH, Statin Residual Risk with Epanova in High Cardiovascular Risk Patients with Hypertriglyceridemia; RP, Risk and Prevention Study; REDUCE-IT, Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial; GISSI-HF, Gruppo Italiano per lo Studio della Sopravvivenza nell’Insufficienza Cardiaca-Heart Failure; OMEMI, Omega-3 Fatty Acids in Elderly With Myocardial Infarction.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Possible mechanisms underlying the association between omega-3 fatty acid supplementation and atrial fibrillation.

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