Table 3. Summary of clinical trials in secondary prevention of AF.

pcm=pacemaker, atach-fib=atrial tachycardia or fibrillation, N=number of patients, PUFA=polyunsaturated fatty acid, rx=treatment, RCT= randomized controlled trial, db=double blind, tb=triple blind, pc=placebo controlled, cvn= cardioversion, gp=group, a/w=associated with, afib=atrial fibrillation

Study (Year)	Design (N)	Clinical Setting	PUFA/Dose	Follow up	Outcome	Favors PUFA
Biscione[52] (2005)	observation, prospective, cross over (40)	PAF with dual chamber pcm	1 g/d	4 months on rx; 4 months off rx	Powerful effect of PUFA in reduction of atach-fib, reduction in AF burden	Yes
Erdogan[54] (2007)	RCT, tb, pc (108)	Persistent afib, post cvn,	PUFA vs. placebo 4 wk before and 1 yr after cvn	1 year	No significant difference in AF relapse	No
Patel[53] (2009)	retrospective, case controlled (258)	paroxysmal 70%, non paroxysmal 30% in PUFA gp both gp; PV ablation	<655 mg of fish oil	8 wks	lower early and late recurrence of AF in PUFA gp	Yes
Kowey[55] (2010)	RCT, db, pc (663)	Paroxysmal AF (542) and Persistent AF (121)	8 g/d for 7 d then 4 g/d x24 wk	24 wks	No significant difference in recurrent symptomatic AF/Fl	No
Nodari[56] (2011)	RCT, db, pc (199)	persistent AF, at least 1 relapse post cvn	2 g/d	1 year	Higher probability of maintenance of SR in PUFA gp	Yes
Bianconi[57] (2011)	RCT, db, pc (204)	chronic persistent AF, post cvn	3 g/m till cvn and 2 g/d for 24 wk	24 wks	No significant difference in recurrence of AF or mean time to AF recurrence in PUFA gp	No
Ozaydin[58] (2011)	RCT (47)	Post cvn, comparison with amiodarone	PUFA & amiodarone vs. amiodarone	1 year	No significant difference in AF relapse	No