Association between n-3 fatty acid consumption and ventricular ectopy after myocardial infarction.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
BACKGROUND: n-3 (omega-3) Fatty acids are associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease; however, the relation between dietary intake of n-3 fatty acids and ventricular arrhythmias has not been investigated among acute post-myocardial infarction (AMI) patients-a group at elevated risk of malignant arrhythmias. OBJECTIVE: The objective was to examine the association between n-3 fatty acid consumption and ventricular ectopy among AMI patients. DESIGN: In 260 AMI patients, dietary intake of n-3 fatty acids was assessed by using the Harvard food-frequency questionnaire, and ventricular ectopy was estimated from 24-h electrocardiograph recordings. RESULTS: A greater intake of n-3 fatty acids (eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid + docosapentaenoic acid + alpha-linolenic acid) was associated with lower ventricular ectopy (beta = -0.35, P = 0.011), and this effect remained after cardiovascular comorbidities were controlled for (beta = -0.47, P = 0.003). Higher concentrations of both marine-based (eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid) (beta = -0.21, P = 0.060) and plant-based (alpha-linolenic acid) (beta = -0.33, P = 0.024) fatty acids remained associated with lower ventricular ectopy after cardiovascular comorbidities were controlled for. CONCLUSION: These findings extend existing evidence linking n-3 fatty acid consumption to a reduced risk of ventricular arrhythmias by showing that a greater intake of n-3 fatty acids may be associated with low ventricular ectopy among AMI patients.
Full Text
Duke Authors
- Babyak, Michael Alan
- Blumenthal, James Alan
- Sherwood, Andrew
- Sketch Jr., Michael Hugh
- Watkins, Lana L.
Cited Authors
- Smith, PJ; Blumenthal, JA; Babyak, MA; Georgiades, A; Sherwood, A; Sketch, MH; Watkins, LL
Published Date
- May 2009
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 89 / 5
Start / End Page
- 1315 - 1320
PubMed ID
- 19321564
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC2676996
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 1938-3207
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.3945/ajcn.2008.26829
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- United States