Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in the prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation in open heart surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate the literature data on the efficacy of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in the prevention of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) in elective cardiac surgery, including onor off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting and/or valve replacement and/or repair.Material and methods. The search for studies was carried out using the PubMed database and Google Scholar from 2005 to January 31, 2022. From the initially identified search results, 19 articles were analyzed. The design of articles corresponded to randomized clinical trials. Omega-3 PUFAs was selected as an interventional effect. The studies were to include, as an end point, the assessment of new POAF cases in the early period after open heart surgery.Results. The meta-analysis included 15 studies with 3980 patients, of which 1992 (50,0%) patients took omega-3 PUFAs. POAF occurred in 587 (29,5%) patients receiving omega-3 PUFAs and 679 (34,2%) patients on standard therapy (hazard ratio, 0,8, 0,68-0,93, p=0,004). There is a variation in effect size for POAF patients in the presented randomized clinical trials relative to the axis of the central trend and heterogeneity of studies with a significant number of patients included (I2=51%, p=0,01).Conclusion. Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed the effectiveness of omega-3 PUFAs in the prevention of POAF during open heart surgery.

Keywords

• omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids
• atrial fibrillation
• cardiac surgery