The relationship between free fatty acid levels and sudden cardiac death has been well described in the literature. For instance, it has been suggested that elevated free fatty acid levels may promote a pro-arrhythmic environment that increases the risk of sudden cardiac death. In this study with a median follow-up of 6.85 years, 165 sudden cardiac deaths occurred in the entire population studied. The authors found that elevated plasma free fatty acid levels were an independent risk factor for future sudden cardiac death in patients referred to a coronary angiogram. These results provide further evidence that we need to better understand the molecular mechanisms by which altered free fatty acid levels may cause sudden cardiac death. A deeper understanding of the metabolic processes underpinning this association would facilitate the development of new therapeutic targets to protect patients against this outcome.
Documentation centre