01.01.11
Nutraceutical: Omega 3s
Indication: Atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat)
Source: JAMA, November 15, 2010; [Epub ahead of print].
Research: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common, yet there remains an unmet medical need for additional treatment options. Current pharmacological treatments have limited efficacy and significant adverse events. Limited data from small trials suggest omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids may provide a safe, effective treatment option for AF patients. Taking this into consideration, researchers set out to evaluate the safety and efficacy of prescription omega 3 fatty acids (prescription omega 3) for the prevention of recurrent symptomatic AF. To do this they conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group multicenter trial involving 663 U.S. outpatient participants with confirmed symptomatic paroxysmal (n = 542) or persistent (n = 121) AF. Prescription omega 3s (8 g/d) or placebo were given to subjects for the first 7 days; prescription omega 3 (4 g/d) or placebo thereafter through week 24.
Results: At 24 weeks, in the paroxysmal AF stratum, 129 of 269 participants (48%) in the placebo group and 135 of 258 participants (52%) in the prescription group had a recurrent symptomatic AF or flutter event. Researchers concluded that among participants with paroxysmal AF, 24-week treatment with prescription omega-3 compared with placebo did not reduce recurrent AF over 6 months.