Combination of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and statins for the prevention of atrial fibrillation after coronary bypass surgery

Abstract

Aim. To evaluate the influence of combination of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and atorvastatin on the risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) after coronary bypass surgery (CBS). Material and methods. The study included 114 patients divided into 2 groups, one comprised of 59 ones (75,6% men of mean age 62,0±7,3 yr given conventional medication), the other including 55 patients (80,0% men of mean age 59,4±6,7 yr given omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids 5 days before (2 g/d) and during 3 weeks after CBS (1 g/d)). All patients were treated with atorvastatin at the outpatient stage. IL-6,8, 10 and C-reactive protein (CRP), fibrinogen, troponin, NT-proBNP, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and myeloperoxidase were measured at admittance and on day 3.7±1.4 after surgery. Results. AF developed on day 5.9±4.9 (mean) after surgery. Patients of group 2 tended to have fewer new episodes of arrhythmia although no significant difference between the groups was documented (9,1% vs 18,6%, р=0,12). Group 2 included more smokers (74,5% vs 45,8%, р=0,002) and patients with atherosclerosis of lower limb arteries (87,3% vs 71,2%, р=0,03) but fewer those consuming nitrates (39,0% vs 18,2%, р=0,01) and Ca antagonists (45,8% vs 21,8%, р=0,006).Mean dose of atorvastatin given to patients of groups 1 and 2 was 24.7±12.5 and 25.1±10.5 mg/d respectively (р=0,2), duration of its intake 14.6±12.7 and 21.5±19.3 months (р<0,001). There. was no significant difference between leukocyte count, leukogram, IL-8, IL-10, NT-proBNP, and troponin levels before and after CBS. Surgical myocardial revascularization caused a rise in leukocyte count, shifted the leukogram toward predominance of stab and segmented cells, increased IL-8, IL-10, fibrinogen, NT-proBNP, CRP, and troponin levels in both groups. IL-8 and IL-10 levels remained normal before and after surgery. Preoperative IL-6 level in group 1 was significantly higher than in group 2 (21,7±13,0 vs 2.5±2,2 pg/ml, р<0,001). Postoperatively, the difference was absent. The CRP level before surgery was high in both groups (3122.7±2175.8 vs 3670.8±2490.0 U/g) but decreased after CBS although remained higher in group 1 (1957.6±1660.3 vs 1069.8±630.2 U/g, р<0,001). Myeloperoxidase level increased postoperatively in both groups but the difference was insignificant. Fibrinogen and CRP in the postoperative period increased more significantly in group 2 than in group 1 (4,9±1,4 vs 4,4±1,1 g/l, р=0,02 and 8,6±2,2 vs 5,4±2,3 mg/l respectively, р<0,001). Conclusion. The study revealed an insignificant decrease in the number of AF episodes in the early post-CDS period in patients treated with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and atorvastatin compared with those given the latter medication alone. Also, fibrinogen and CRP levels as markers of inflammation increased while SOD antioxidative activity decreased.