Do high levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in cell membranes increase the risk of postoperative atrial fibrillation?

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:

Postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) has been associated with an inflammatory response to the surgical procedure. n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC-PUFA) have been proposed for the prevention of POAF. We investigated the relationship between the plasma concentration of inflammatory mediators, levels of n-3 LC-PUFA in red blood cell (RBC) membrane lipids, and the risk of POAF after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

METHODS:

A total of 125 patients who underwent CABG were studied. Inflammatory mediators in plasma and the content of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in RBC membranes were assessed.

RESULTS:

Sixty-two patients (49.6%) developed POAF. The POAF group had higher RBC levels of total n-3 LC-PUFA and DHA than did patients remaining in sinus rhythm (p < 0.05). Of the inflammatory mediators, only postoperative interleukin-6 levels differed, being higher in the POAF group (p < 0.05). Inflammatory mediators were not independent predictors of POAF by multivariable logistic regression analysis. Higher levels of DHA and total n-3 LC-PUFA in RBC membranes, measured immediately prior to CABG and on postoperative day 3, were linearly associated with an increased risk of POAF (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings suggest that inflammatory mediators are not associated with the occurrence of POAF. Interestingly, high n-3 LC-PUFA levels in RBC membranes appear to increase the risk of POAF.

• Authors: Lara Bjorgvinsdottir, David O Arnar, Olafur S Indridason, Ragnhildur Heidarsdottir, Kristin Skogstrand, Bjarni Torfason, David M Hougaard, Runolfur Palsson, Gudrun V Skuladottir
• Journal: Cardiology (Cardiology) Vol. 126 Issue 2 Pg. 107-14 ( 2013) ISSN: 1421-9751 [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 23948862 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Chemical References

• Cytokines
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3
• Docosahexaenoic Acids
• Eicosapentaenoic Acid

Topics

• Aged
• Atrial Fibrillation (etiology)
• Cardiopulmonary Bypass (statistics & numerical data)
• Cytokines (metabolism)
• Docosahexaenoic Acids (metabolism)
• Double-Blind Method
• Eicosapentaenoic Acid (metabolism)
• Erythrocyte Membrane (metabolism)
• Fatty Acids, Omega-3 (metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Postoperative Complications (etiology)
• Preoperative Care
• Prospective Studies
• Risk Factors