Does Mediterranean Diet Reduce Cardiovascular Events and Oxidative Stress in Atrial Fibrillation?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is characterized by enhanced oxidative stress and is complicated by cardiovascular events (CVEs), which are only partially prevented by anticoagulant treatment. The Mediterranean diet (Med-Diet) has a positive effect on atherosclerotic progression. In a prospective cohort of 709 anticoagulated AF patients, adherence to Med-Diet was assessed to investigate whether Med-Diet may reduce CVEs by lowering oxidative stress. The cohort was divided into three groups according to the Med-Diet score: low (0-3 points), medium (4-6 points), and high (7-9 points) adherence. During a mean follow-up of 39.9 months (2604.8 patients/year), we registered 72 (2.8%/year) CVEs: 23.4% in the low-adherence group, 8.4% in the intermediate-adherence group, and 5.3% in the high-adherence group (p