Omega-3 Fatty Acids Cuts Mortality and Hospitalizations in Heart Failure Patients
The supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids in heart failure patients has shown improved morbidity and mortality whereas statins failed to show the same beneficial effect in the group of patients being studied. The long term administration of 1 g omega-3 fatty acids reduced all-cause mortality and admission to the hospital for cardiovascular reasons whereas there was no effect on these parameters with 10 mg rosuvastatin, a statin drug.
The study, called the GISSI-HF trial, showed a 9% reduction in all cause mortality with omega-3 fatty acids. Investigators reported “Although this moderate benefit was smaller than expected, it should be noted that these results were obtained in a population already treated with recommended therapies, was consistent across all of the predefined subgroups and was further supported by the findings of the per-protocol analysis.”
The GISSI-HF trial was a randomized, double-blinded, large scale trial with patients randomized to receive either placebo or 1 gram of omega-3 fatty acids. Patients were followed for approximately 3.9 years. According to researchers, omega-3 fatty acids appear to have a beneficial effect on the mechanisms leading to the progression of heart failure, such as possibly exerting favorable effects on inflammatory processes including reductions in endothelial activation and cytokine production as well as positive influences on platelet aggregation, blood pressure, heart rate, ventricular function and autonomic tone.
Researchers also commented that based on these study results, statins should not be considered in patients with heart failure because the use of the cholesterol-lowering drugs does not translate into any clinically meaningful benefit or improvement in survival in patients with chronic heart failure.
About the author
Kathy Shattler received her Master of Science degree from Michigan State University in E. Lansing Michigan in Human Nutrition. Her twenty-two years of practice includes holding positions as a Lecturer, Chief Clinical Dietitian and Program Manager. Kathy is the Founder of Nutri-Care Consulting and is currently the Nutrition Director of www.CEU4U.COM, an online continuing education management company for Registered Dietitians and Dietetic Technicians.
