Faculty Collaboration Database

Reduction in the rate of early restenosis after coronary angioplasty by a diet supplemented with n-3 fatty acids. N Engl J Med 1988 Sep 22;319(12):733-40

Date

09/22/1988

Pubmed ID

2842680

DOI

10.1056/NEJM198809223191201

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0023696262 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   323 Citations

Abstract

To determine the safety and benefit of n-3 fatty acid therapy in the prevention of early restenosis after coronary angioplasty, we conducted a randomized, unblinded study comparing a conventional antiplatelet regimen (325 mg of aspirin and 225 mg of dipyridamole per day; control group) with a similar regimen supplemented with 3.2 g of eicosapentaenoic acid per day (treatment group). Treatment began seven days before angioplasty and continued for six months afterward. All angiographic analyses were blinded and performed by a method that was validated by comparison with quantitative coronary angiography. In 82 male patients, 103 coronary lesions were dilated. Both groups had similar base-line clinical and angiographic characteristics. The incidence of early vessel restenosis, as determined on a second angiogram three to four months after angioplasty, was 36 percent in the control group and 16 percent in the treatment group (P = 0.026). The incidence of restenosis per patient was also significantly lower in the treatment group (46 vs. 19 percent). Both multiple logistic regression and Mantel-Haenszel statistical analyses demonstrated a significant independent benefit of treatment with n-3 fatty acids. No important bleeding complications developed in the treated patients. These results, in a male population at relatively high risk for restenosis, suggest that a dietary supplement of n-3 fatty acids, administered for one week before and for six months after coronary angioplasty, is safe and reduces the occurrence of early restenosis after that procedure. Whether this beneficial effect also applies to other populations is unknown.

Author List

Dehmer GJ, Popma JJ, van den Berg EK, Eichhorn EJ, Prewitt JB, Campbell WB, Jennings L, Willerson JT, Schmitz JM

Author

William B. Campbell PhD Professor in the Pharmacology and Toxicology department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Angioplasty, Balloon
Aspirin
Blood Platelets
Clinical Trials as Topic
Coronary Angiography
Coronary Disease
Coronary Vessels
Diet
Dipyridamole
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Fatty Acids
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Random Allocation
Recurrence
Time Factors