Omega-3 fatty acids and cardiovascular disease: heartwire collection

Medscape Medical News

Fried fish may contribute to increased risk in "stroke belt"

Dec 23, 2010 14:30 EST

Differences in dietary fish consumption and cooking methods may contribute to the higher rates of stroke seen in the "stroke belt" of the southern US and in African Americans.

Arrhythmia/EP

No link between diet and AF

1 COMMENT - Dec 9, 2010 10:30 EST

A new four-year follow-up of Framingham Heart Study participants finds no association between consumption of alcohol, caffeine, dietary fiber, or fish oils and subsequent risk of atrial fibrillation.

Lipid/Metabolic

MARINE: Ethyl-EPA reduces triglyceride levels without raising LDL cholesterol

13 COMMENTS - Nov 30, 2010 16:30 EST

UPDATED WITH COMMENTARY // During a conference call announcing the results, Amarin reported that the 2-g and 4-g dose of AMR101, as the ethyl-EPA is currently known, reduced triglyceride levels 20% and 33%, respectively, all without a significant increase in LDL-cholesterol levels. Experts heartwire spoke with were mixed on the new drug, with some believing the drug represents a new advance, while others adopted a more wait-and-see approach.

Arrhythmia/EP

Omega-3 PUFA caps don't suppress paroxysmal AF in randomized trial

4 COMMENTS - Nov 15, 2010 09:45 EST

UPDATED WITH COMMENTARY // In a randomized trial, taking the Lovaza prescription form of fish-oil supplement at 4 g/day for six months didn't protect against symptomatic recurrences of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Heart failure

Omega-3 PUFAs for heart failure up LVEF, cut remodeling, in rare mechanistic study

2 COMMENTS - Sep 20, 2010 14:15 EDT

The findings could help explain the "quite modest" but significant clinical benefits of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, typically given as fish-oil capsules, that have been observed in heart failure.

Lipid/Metabolic

Alpha Omega Trial: n-3 fatty acids fail to reduce cardiovascular events in post-MI patients

18 COMMENTS - Aug 29, 2010 02:00 EDT

UPDATED WITH COMMENTARY // The investigators say the negative findings are likely the result of the optimal medical therapy that patients in the trial were receiving following their index MI. All patients were treated with "state-of-the-art" therapy and this might explain the discrepancy with previous studies that suggested n-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA, might be cardioprotective following MI.

Prevention

Improved autonomic function may partly explain benefits of Mediterranean diet: Twin study

1 COMMENT - Jun 16, 2010 09:45 EDT

A new study linking high adherence to a Mediterranean-like diet to better heart-rate variability may get researchers one step closer to understanding just how this diet works to reduce cardiovascular events.

Arrhythmia/EP

Fish-oil capsules don't stop post-CABG atrial fib in randomized trial

4 COMMENTS - May 17, 2010 10:45 EDT

Omega-3 PUFAs from fish oil, started a day or two before surgery, didn't protect against the common post-CABG complication in a >200-patient placebo-controlled trial; on the other hand, researchers reported elsewhere at the HRS sessions that a much longer daily intake of fish-oil caps by patients with symptomatic SVT seemed to help stabilize the atria at electrophysiologic testing.

Interventional/Surgery

Could omega-3 fatty acids help in tackling clopidogrel resistance?

Apr 12, 2010 17:00 EDT

A small proof-of-concept study indicates that omega-3 fatty acids might one day be useful as an additional therapy in patients undergoing PCI who are resistant to clopidogrel.

Arrhythmia/EP

Omega-3 PUFAs may help preserve sinus rhythm after AF cardioversion

13 COMMENTS - Mar 26, 2010 17:30 EDT

The addition of omega-3 fatty acids at 1 g/day to standard antiarrhythmics cut the risk of recurrence after cardioversion of atrial fibrillation in a randomized trial.

Prevention

Study of different ethnic groups shows method of fish preparation affects cardiac benefits

4 COMMENTS - Nov 25, 2009 12:45 EST

A new study reveals a unique snapshot of the dietary habits of different ethnic groups and shows that eating fish per se is not necessarily beneficial, but that the method of cooking it is key.

heartbriefs

Omega-3s no help to SSRI-treated CHD patients

4 COMMENTS - Oct 20, 2009 16:00 EDT

The researchers suggest further study is still needed, as it is unclear whether higher doses of omega-3 fatty acids or setraline, longer treatment, or a different ratio of EPA to DHA would produce favorable results.

Heart failure

A fish tale with merit: Omega-3 PUFAs underrated for heart failure

22 COMMENTS - Oct 14, 2009 12:30 EDT

Are the data not shouting loud enough, or is cardiology hard of herring? Omega-3 fatty acids may have only a modest treatment effect in heart failure, but they've performed swimmingly in randomized and observational studies considering how few new HF drugs have been reeled in lately.

heartbriefs

Mercury/blood-pressure link should guide fish choices

1 COMMENT - Oct 6, 2009 16:45 EDT

An association seen between mercury levels and blood pressure, even after considering omega-3s and selenium, has researchers warning about the need to weigh the risks and benefits of fish consumption and to steer clear of bigger predators.

Prevention

New review endorses CV benefits of fish oil

12 COMMENTS - Aug 3, 2009 17:00 EDT

Described as a "fish tale with growing credibility," the authors of a new review cite mounting data in support of the many cardiovascular benefits of omega-3 fatty acids.

Prevention

Massive vitamin-D/omega-3 trial for CVD, cancer prevention

5 COMMENTS - Jun 29, 2009 17:00 EDT

Study participants will be randomized to one of four groups: daily vitamin D (2000 IU) and fish oil (1 g); daily vitamin D and fish-oil placebo; daily vitamin-D placebo and fish oil; or daily vitamin-D placebo and fish-oil placebo and followed for five years.

Prevention

Oily fish eaten once a week associated with lower rates of HF

Apr 29, 2009 16:00 EDT

A new observational study in Sweden has found that eating oily fish once a week seems to protect middle-aged and older men against developing heart failure, but eating it more often than that did not give a greater benefit.

Prevention

Recommendation to eat more fish may not be environmentally sustainable

5 COMMENTS - Mar 16, 2009 17:30 EDT

Evidence for health benefits from fish is inconsistent, and fish stocks are projected to be depleted in 40 years, so urging increased consumption is not warranted, a review concludes; however, the AHA still advocates two servings of fish per week. (Jenkins JA et al. CMAJ 2009; 180:633-637.)

Prevention

AHA champions omega-6 PUFAs to counter popular nutrition advice

8 COMMENTS - Jan 28, 2009 16:45 EST

A new AHA new scientific advisory is recommending omega-6 PUFAs make up 5% to 10% of daily calorie intake and discounts the health benefits of reduced omega-6:3 ratios promulgated by diet and nutrition books. (Harris WS et al. Circulation; published online before print January 26, 2009.)

Arrhythmia/EP

No antiarrhythmic protection with fish oil, new meta-analysis shows

2 COMMENTS - Jan 5, 2009 16:45 EST

The analysis, driven primarily by the results of two large clinical trials, showed that fish oil was associated with a significant 20% reduction in the risk of cardiac death but did not reduce the incidence of appropriate ICD interventions or sudden cardiac death. (León H et al. BMJ 2009; published online before print December 23, 2008.)

Heart failure

Omega-3 fatty acids, but not statin therapy, cuts mortality and hospitalizations in heart failure

9 COMMENTS - Aug 31, 2008 11:00 EDT

Omega-3 fatty-acid supplementation is an "effective, safe, simple, and cheap" option for patients with chronic heart failure, say investigators. Statin therapy, on the other hand, should not be prescribed in heart-failure patients. (European Society of Cardiology Congress 2008. Lancet; published online before print August 31, 2008.)

Prevention

Omega-3 rather than genetics is key to lack of CHD in Japanese?

11 COMMENTS - Jul 28, 2008 17:00 EDT

A new study suggests that lifelong consumption of high doses of omega-3 fatty acids may be the key to a low rate of heart disease. (Sekikawa A et al. J Am Coll Cardiol 2008; 52: 417-424.)

Lipid/Metabolic

Smoking trumps omega-3s to drive up atherosclerosis rates in Alaskan Eskimos

3 COMMENTS - Jul 10, 2008 16:00 EDT

Study authors say that the public-health message about smoking risks is likely not reaching Alaska Eskimos, who are also becoming more sedentary and eating fewer omega-3-rich traditional foods. Subclinical atherosclerosis is much higher in this group than in age-matched populations elsewhere in the US. (Cutchins A et al. Stroke; published online before print July 10, 2008.)

Arrhythmia/EP

Consumption of fish/fish oil associated with specific heart-rate variability parameters

Feb 22, 2008 15:45 EST

UPDATED WITH INTERVIEW // A new study has shown that fish and omega-3 fatty-acid consumption are associated with "more optimal" values of various HRV indices, thus shedding some light on the specific mechanisms by which fish and fish oil lower the risk of arrhythmic events. (Mozaffarian D et al. Circulation 2008; 117:1130-1137.)

Arrhythmia/EP

Use of fish oil in ICD patients warrants caution: Meta-analysis

Jan 21, 2008 10:45 EST

A meta-analysis finds significant heterogeneity between trials, suggesting fish oil might benefit some cardiac patients but not others. Currently, say investigators, the use of fish oils in patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators appears to warrant caution. (Jenkins DJ et al. CMAJ 2008; 178:157-164.)