PREVENTION OF CARDIAC SUDDEN-DEATH BY N-3 FATTY-ACIDS - A REVIEW OF THE EVIDENCE

The essential n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids can prevent isch aemia-induced ventricular fibrillation in rats, dogs and marmosets. In isolated neonatal rat cardiac myocytes, these have been shown to prev ent tachyarrhythmias elevated calcium concentrations, toxic ouabain, a beta-adrenergic agent (isoproterenol), lysophosphatidylcholine and ac ylcarnitine. The antiarrhythmic effect is caused by a reduction in ele ctrical excitability caused by partitioning of the free polyunsaturate d fatty acids into the phospholipid cell membranes of the cardiac myoc ytes, which modulates membrane ion channels. Two clinical trials sugge st they could prevent sudden cardiac death in humans.