Korean Circ J.  2016 Jul;46(4):481-489. 10.4070/kcj.2016.46.4.481.

Effect of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Regression of Coronary Atherosclerosis in Statin Treated Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

• Ahn J
• Park SK
• Park TS
• Kim JH
• Yun E
• Kim SP
• Lee HW
• Oh JH
• Choi JH
• Cha KS
• Hong TJ
• Lee SY
• Lee HC

• KMID: 2344422
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4070/kcj.2016.46.4.481

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Statins remain the mainstay of secondary coronary artery disease (CAD) prevention, but n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA) display biological effects that may also reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and CAD. However, data on the possible antiatherosclerotic benefits of adding ω-3 PUFA to statin therapy are limited. This study aimed to investigate the potential additive effects of ω-3 PUFA on regression of atherosclerosis in CAD patients receiving statin therapy and stent implantation.
SUBJECTS AND METHODS
Seventy-four CAD patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with stent implantation were enrolled, prescribed statins, and randomly assigned to two groups: n-3 group (ω-3 PUFA 3 g/day, n=38) or placebo group (placebo, n=36). All patients completed the study follow-up consisting of an intravascular ultrasound at baseline and at 12 months.
RESULTS
There was no difference in the baseline characteristics and distribution of other medications. No significant differences were observed in primary endpoints, including changes in atheroma volume index (-12.65% vs. -8.51%, p=0.768) and percent atheroma volume (-4.36% vs. -9.98%, p=0.526), and in secondary endpoints including a change in neointimal volume index (7.84 vs. 4.94 mm3/mm, p=0.087).
CONCLUSION
ω-3 PUFA had no definite additional effect on the regression of coronary atherosclerosis when added to statin in CAD patients undergoing PCI.

Keyword

n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids; Atherosclerosis; Coronary artery disease; Statin

MeSH Terms

Atherosclerosis
Coronary Artery Disease*
Fatty Acids, Omega-3*
Follow-Up Studies
Humans
Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors*
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention*
Plaque, Atherosclerotic
Stents
Ultrasonography
Fatty Acids, Omega-3

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Intravascular ultrasound image for measurement of total atheroma volume. A cross sectional image of stenosed vessel (white circle) is shown in the inner picture. Total atheroma volume was calculated as a sum of the differences between vessel and lumen area throughout the lesion by Simpson's method.

• 

  Fig. 2 Changes in lipid profiles from baseline. There were no significant reductions in levels of total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglyceride betwen patients with or without omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids.

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