omega-3 fatty acids (Montréal Heart Institute)

Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically a combination of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), were investigated by the Montreal Heart Institute in the Phase 3 AFFORD trial (Multicenter Study to Evaluate the Effect of N-3 Fatty Acids on Arrhythmia Recurrence in Atrial Fibrillation). The trial evaluated whether high-dose omega-3 supplementation (4 grams per day of fish oil, providing 1,600 mg EPA and 800 mg DHA) could prevent the recurrence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF. Mechanistically, these long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids are believed to exert anti-arrhythmic effects through the modulation of cardiac ion channels, reduction of systemic inflammation, and alleviation of oxidative stress. Despite the therapeutic rationale, the AFFORD trial results published in 2014 demonstrated that omega-3 supplementation did not significantly reduce the time to first recurrence of atrial fibrillation compared to placebo.

Other names

fish oiln-3 fatty acidsn3 fatty acidsn 3 fatty acidsn-3 polyunsaturated fatty acidsn3 polyunsaturated fatty acidsn 3 polyunsaturated fatty acidsn-3 PUFAn3 PUFAn 3 PUFAEPA+DHAeicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid