The Effect of n-3 Fatty Acids on Heart Rate Variability in Patients Treated With Chronic Hemodialysis
Objective
The aim of the present study was to address the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on heart rate variability (HRV) in patients treated with chronic hemodialysis.
Design
We performed a randomized, placebo-controlled intervention trial.
Setting
The study took place at two hospital-based dialysis centers.
Patients
Thirty patients with documented cardiovascular disease who were treated with hemodialysis for at least 6 months were included.
Intervention
Treatment consisted of 1.7 g of n-3 PUFA or a control treatment (olive oil).
Main Outcome Measure
The outcome measure was 24-hour Holter recordings with time domain HRV measurements at baseline and after 3 months of treatment. Blood samples were obtained to assess the content of n-3 PUFA in serum phospholipids before and after treatment.
Results
n-3 PUFA did not significantly affect time domain parameters of HRV, compared with a control group.
Conclusion
We conclude that treatment with n-3 PUFA does not increase HRV in patients treated with chronic hemodialysis, a result that may have been compromised by a small sample size.
⁎Department of Nephrology, Aalborg Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
†Department of Cardiology, Center for Cardiovascular Research, Aalborg Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark.
‡Department of Renal Medicine C, Skejby Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Aarhus, Denmark.
Address reprint requests to My Svensson, MD, Department of Nephrology, Aalborg Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Hobrovej 18-20, 9100 Aalborg, Denmark.
This study was supported by The Danish Heart Foundation, The Danish Kidney Foundation, the Research Foundation of the County of Northern Jutland and Pronova Biocare.
ABSTRACT