Omega-3 PUFA and Cardiac Arrhythmias Dalit Weisman R.D, Msc, PhD student Electrophysiology Unit...

Omega-3 PUFA and Cardiac ArrhythmiasDalit Weisman R.D, Msc, PhD student

Electrophysiology Unit

Heart Institute

Sheba Medical Center

WILLIAM S. HARRIS, PhD. CLEVELAND CLINIC JOURNAL OF MEDICINE VOLUME 71 • NUMBER 3 MARCH 2004

Breaking News on Food & Beverage Development - Europe

The inventor of omega-327/11/2007 -

It all started with a trip to Greenland in 1970. Three Danes, a couple of dogsleds, and several years of study later and the omega-3 was born. Since then, awareness and understanding of marine omega-3 has sky-rocketed.

The science explosion has been followed by consumer and product blast-off. Different ratios for EPA (C20:5 n-3) to DHA (C22:6 n-3) are being marketed, or DHA alone, or products containing alpha-linolenic acid (ALA, C18:3 n-3), a shorter long-chain omega-3 from plants.

It's all a bit confusing…

"The ratios of EPA and DHA are not important," said Dr. Dyerberg, "as they can be interconverted."

"But consumption should include both, and a decent combination is 3:2 EPA:DHA."

So what about docosapentaenoic acid (DPA), labelled by some as "underrated" amongst the omega-3 fatty acids? "I don't know any specific effects of DPA," he said. "But it is an intermediate in the conversion of EPA to DHA, so it will be present in the body all the time."

As for ALA, an omega-3 from plants that is converted in the body to EPA and subsequently DHA, he was unconvinced. In terms of biological effects of DHA and EPA, Dr. Dyerberg said there are many. "We don't know of any specific biological effects of ALA," he said.

If we want the benefits of omega-3, we have to eat them as long chain," he said, referring to EPA and DHA.

Dr. Jörn Dyerberg

Mozaffariam D et al. JAMA. 2006;296:1885-99.

Circulation. 2007:116:e320-e335.

• Efforts to better understand the links between diet and cardiac rhythm have the potential to improve public health and welfare and to reduce the ballooning costs associated with treating cardiovascular disease.

• That omega-3 fatty acids have an impact on the fundamental elements (ion channels, exchangers, and modulators) of cardiac electric activity is now indisputable. However, the translation of this understanding into evidence-based public policy guidelines that can decrease the incidence of arrhythmias and SCD still requires significant additional efforts.

Circulation. 2007:116:e320-e335.

• 6 medical USA centers.• N= 200 (parallel group design).

– 100 fish-oil.– 100 placebo.

• 2 year follow-up.• Intervention dose:

– 1.8 g fish-oil = 1.3 g EPA+DHA.

Results

• At 6,12, and 24 months after randomization, respectively, 46% 51% and 65% of pts assigned to fish-oil had ICD therapy for VT/VF compared with 36% 41% and 59% of pts assigned to placebo (p=.19).

Comment

• In the subset of 133 pts whose qualifying arrhythmia at the time of study entry was VT, pts assigned to fish-oil had a 61% 66% and 79% incidence of VT/VF treated by the ICD at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively compared with 37%, 43%, and 65% among those assigned to placebo (p=.007).

Raitt et al. JAMA. 2005;293:2884-2891.

At 6, 12, and 24 months, 46%, 51%, and 65% of patients assigned to receive fish oil had had ICD therapy for VT/VF, compared with 36%, 41%, and 59% for patients assigned to receive placebo (p = 0.19). In the subset of 133 patients whose qualifying arrhythmia was VT, 61%, 66%, and 79% of patients in the fish oil group had had VT/VF at 6, 12, and 24 months, respectively, compared with 37%, 43%, and 65% of patients in the placebo group (p = 0.007). In addition, the number of days with episodes of ICD therapy for VT/VF was significantly greater in the fish oil group than in the placebo group (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

• Among patients with a recent episodes of sustained ventricular arrhythmia and an ICD, fish oil supplement does not reduce the risk of VT/VF and may be proarrhythmic in some patients.

• 8 European countries• N= 546 (parallel group design)

– 273 fish-oil.– 273 placebo.

• 1 year follow up.• Intervention dose:

– 2 g fish-oil = 961 mg EPA+DHA.

Results

• Event-free survival did not substantially improved in the fish-oil group (sustained ICD intervention or death from any cause accure 30% in the fish-oil group and 33% in the placebo (p=0.33).

• In total 75 pts (27%) in the fish oil group and 81 pts (30%) in the placebo received appropriate ICD intervention for VT or VF (p=0.46).

Comments

• In 342 patients with prior MI there was a nonsignificant tendency for a beneficial effect of fish oil on event free survival.

• In this study patients had experienced MI between 2 weeks and 25 years before entry!

Survival free from VT/VF or death from any cause at 12 months

0.0866371342 patients with prior MI (%)

0.246770All patients, 273 in both arms (%)

p Placebo Polyunsaturated fatty acid Analyzed group

"We have no indication that there is any subgroup that would have a harmful effect from fish oil."

European Society of Cardiology Congress 2005.

Conclusions• No evidence of a strong protective effect of

intake of omega-3 PUFA from Fish oil against ventricular arrhythmias in patients with ICDs has been found.

• In contrast to others, this study did not find that fish-oil may have proarrhythmic properties.

Circulation. 2005;112:2762-2768

• USA.• N= 400 (parallel design).

– 200 – fish-oil– 202 placebo.

• 1 year follow up.• Intervention dose:

– 4 g fish oil = 2.6 g EPA+DHA

Results

• In the primary analysis, according to the intention- to- treat principle, there was a trend toward a longer time to first ICD event for VT/VF confirmed by electrograms or death from any cause among patients randomized to fish oil compared with those of placebo (p=0.057).

Results

• In the second on-treatment analysis limited only to subjects who were compliant for at least 11 months, the relative risk was 0.62 (P=0.034).

• 142 subjects (35%!!) discontinued their supplement before completing their year in the trial.)

Conclusions

• Although significant was not achieved for the primary end point, this study provides evidence that for individuals at high risk of fatal ventricular arrhythmias, regular daily ingestion of fish oil fatty acids may significantly reduce potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias.

Experts comments

• “fish oil supplementation in ICD patients continues to be an ‘evolving area’….”

• “there are no definitive data at this point”…..

• ”there are supporting data for both positions”.

Dr. Douglas Zipes – Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis. Heart wire Nov. 4, 2005.

Effect of Supplemental intake of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated

Fatty-Acids on the rate and complexity of spontaneously occurring ventricular and

supraventricular arrhythmia in patients with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator.

Prof. Uri GoldburtProf. Michael Glikson

Prof. Ehud SchwamentalDr. David Luria

Prof. Sami ViskinDalit Weisman R.D, Msc, PhD student

Study objectives• Primary Outcomes:

– To investigate the effects of oral supplementation of omega-3 PUFA on the occurrence of life threatening ventricular arrhythmias in post-MI ICD recipients.

• Secondary outcomes:– 1) All-cause mortality, cardiac mortality, recurrent and myocardial infarction. – 2) Atrial arrhythmia and non-sustained ventricular arrhythmia (non-sustained

VT or ventricular premature complex (PVC)) as documented by ICD memory or 24 hour ECG (Holter) recording.

– 3) Whether omega-3 PUFA supplementation exerts different effects according to ischemia severity assessed by stress perfusion nuclear imaging.

– 4) The effect of omega-3 PUFA supplementation on C-reactive protein blood levels

Inclusion criteria• 1. Patients with old myocardial infarction who

have a dual chamber ICD that was implanted >1 months ago.

• 2. Patients should be on no antiarrhythmic agents or on stable antiarrhythmic medications for one month (except class I drugs, which are contraindicated).

• 3. Agree to give written informed consent.

Exclusion criteria• 1) Less than 18 years of age.• 2) ICD implantation as a `bridge` to heart transplantation.• 3) Patients taking class I antiarrhythmic medication. • 4) A projected lifespan less than one year. • 5) Participation in another trial (during or within 30 days before

the study).• 6) Use of supplemental n-3 fatty acids during the last 3 months.• 7) Women who are pregnant and of childbearing potential who do

not use adequate contraception. • 8) Patients known to have a history of recent drug or alcohol

abuse.• 9) History or current intestinal or hepatic disease.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids Intervention

: מ"ג ובתוכה1529משקל כל כמוסה –•EPA – 400 מ"ג•DHA – 200 מ"ג מ"ג30 - 3חומצות שומן אחרות מסוג אומגה-•(מ"ג) - oleic acid 40 - 9אומגה-•מ"גE -2ויטמין •

:סימון תזונתי לכמוסה אחת–10אנרגיה (קק"ל) - •0חלבונים – •0פחמימות – •1שומנים (גרם) – •

גרם) 9.174 קפסולות ביום (משקל - 6במחקר נוטל המשתתף –:שמספקות

EPA+DHA גרם של 3.6•קלוריות 60•

למה בחרנו במינון הזה?

2:1 Ratio

Three considerations let to this decision

• First, the negligible amount of dietary omega-3 PUFA intake which characterize the Israeli population

• The safety profile of omega-3 PUFA supplementation, up to 3 gram per day.

• The recent clinical experience with 3.4 gram omega-3 PUFA, delivered I.V. without reported hazards.

Data not available91158 (fish eaters only)

Daniel Abraham Nutrition Center, Ben-Gurion University (personal communication).

Data not available101124Daniel Abraham Nutrition Center, Ben-Gurion University (personal communication).

0.75144.9605 (fish eaters only)

Israel Center for Disease Control [47].

0.1727.043242Israel Center for Disease Control [47].

0.04 – 0.178 – 102 (mean range)NHANES [48].

EPA + DHA consumption (grams/day)

Fish consumption (grams/day)Sample Size (N)

Reference


• The safety profile of omega-3 PUFA supplementation, up to 3 gram per day.


Kris-Etherton PM et al. Circulation 2002;106:2747-2757.

We did electrophysiological testing in ten patients with implanted cardioverter defibrillators who were at high risk of sudden cardiac death. To assess their immediate effects on the induction of sustained ventricular tachycardia, n-3 fatty acids were infused (3.8g). Such tachycardia was not induced in five of seven patients. Our findings show that infusion of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids does not induce arrhythmia, but did result in a reduction of sustained ventricular tachycardia in some patients.

Lancet 2004; 363: 1441–42

– ריבוד קבוצות המחקר ע"פ שני גורמיםEF והאינדיקציה להשתלת ICD

עם35%פחות או שווה ל- EF – 1קבוצה •Spontaneous VT.

Spontaneous עם35%גדול מ- EF – 2קבוצה •VT.

עם 35%פחות או שווה ל- EF – 3קבוצה • ,VF, SCD, Inducible VT )שאר האריתמיות

Primary prevention – MADIT II.) עם שאר 35%גדול מ- EF – 4קבוצה •

VF, SCD, Inducible VT, Primary )האריתמיותprevention – MADIT II.)

Inform ConsentBlood Withdrawal

Subcutaneous fat biopsySPECT

24 h HolterSF-36 + Depression + Food QuestionnairesICD interrogation + programmingCapsules distribution according to Randomization

ICD interrogationCompliance assessment and capsules supply to patients

Telephone Contact

ICD interrogation24 h Holter

Blood Withdrawal + Subcutaneous fat biopsySF-36 + Depression QuestionnairesCompliance assessment (capsules)

4 months washout period

Visit 1 – Screening

Visit 2 - Baseline

Visit 3 – 3 months

Visit 4 – 6 monthsTelephone Contact

Inclusion/ Exclusion

A case for the use of the Omega-3 Index as a risk stratification tool for CHD death. Harris et al. suggested that an Omega-3 Index level of ≥ 8% is a reasonable preliminary target value for reducing risk. The Omega-3 Index may represent a novel, physiologically relevant, modifiable, and independent marker of risk for death from CHD.

Conclusions—”Although any of the tissues examined could serve as a surrogate for cardiac omega-3 FA content, RBC EPA+DHA was highly correlated with cardiac EPA+DHA; the RBC omega-3 response to supplementation was similar to that of the heart; RBCs are easily collected and analyzed; and they have a less variable FA composition than plasma. Therefore, RBC EPA+DHA (also called the Omega-3 Index) may be the preferred surrogate for cardiac omega-3 FA status”.

We also chose to obtain subcutaneous adipose-tissue biopsies, a biomarker considered the gold-standard for the objective assessment of long-term habitual dietary intake of fish and marine omega-3 PUFA (EPA and DHA).

It can be considered a helpful tool in interpreting results .

Inform ConsentBlood Withdrawal

Subcutaneous fat biopsySPECT


ICD interrogationCompliance assessment and capsules supply to patients

Telephone Contact





Visit 2 - Baseline




Subcutaneous Fat Biopsy

ADIPOSE TISSUE AS A MEDIUM FOR EPIDEMIOLOGIC

EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT • “Experience in the use of adipose tissue

sampling in epidemiologic studies in various countries has shown that it is simple to conduct, requires little training, carries little risk, and does not result in excessive participant refusal”.

• In contrast to more traditional methods of assessment of long term dietary intakes it holds the promise of being able to sample past dietary habits without bias.

Kohlmeier, Lenore, Kohlmeier, Martin, Environmental Health Perspectives Supplements, 10780475, Apr95, Vol. 103, Issue Suppl. 3

Hirsch J. Studies of adipose tissue in man: a microtechnic for sampling and analysis. Am J Clin Nutr 8:499-511 (1960).

Biomarkers of Fat and Fatty Acid Intake“The majority of fatty acids in human tissue are nonessential

and are both dietarily supplied and endogenously produced .For those interested in exogenous sources of fatty acids and theirrelationships to chronic disease, one of the strongest biomarkersof long-term intake available is the relative distribution of

individual fatty acids in adipose tissue.…” “Adipose samples may be aspirated from one of various sites (most

commonly gluteal or abdominal) and measured by gas chromatography (GC) or HPLC. Quantities as small as 10 mg are adequate for these analyses. The longest abolished procedure for sampling adipose tissue

carries a low risk of infection .”

Arab L. J. Nutr. 133: 925S–932S, 2003.

Inform ConsentBlood Withdrawal+ Subcutaneous fat biopsySPECT



Compliance assessment and capsules supply to patients

Telephone Contact





Visit 2 - Baseline




Validated Israeli Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ)

• The final FFQ included 126 food items that contribute 80% to between people variation.

• Quantification of food intake was done using usual serving sizes and different portion sizes of selected dishes.

• Computerized Israeli nutrition data base.

The S. Daniel Abraham International Center for Health and NutritionBen-Gurion University

Food pictures and models were donated from: USDA, EPIC, Epidemiology Department- Tel Hashomer, and Al-Qutz University

The S. Daniel Abraham International Center for Health and Nutrition Ben-Gurion University

Blood Withdrawal24 h Holter

SF-36 + Depression QuestionnairesICD interrogationCompliance assessment (capsules)Capsules distribution



Compliance assessment and capsules supply to patient

Visit 6 – 12 monthsTelephone contact

End of trial


Blood Withdrawal+ Subcutaneous fat biopsySF-36 + Depression Questionnaires Compliance assessment (capsules)

Visit 7 – 15 months Telephone contact

Omega-3 PUFA and Cardiac Arrhythmias Dalit Weisman R.D, Msc, PhD student Electrophysiology Unit...

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