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Omega-3 may benefit patients undergoing PCI
Gajos G. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2011;doi:10.1161/atvbaha.111.228593.
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For stable patients on standard therapy about to undergo percutaneous coronary intervention, the addition of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids significantly reduced thrombin formation and oxidative stress compared with placebo alone, new research suggested.
In the prospective, randomized study, 54 patients (mean age, 62.8 years) with stable CAD undergoing PCI who were receiving dual antiplatelet therapy were additionally given either 1 g/day of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA; n=30) or placebo (n=24) for 1 month. Researchers measured plasma fibrin clot permeability, lysis time, CRP, prothrombin fragment 1.2 and thrombin generation potential 3 to 5 days and 30 days after randomization.
Despite both groups having similar baseline characteristics, at 30 days, patients treated with omega-3 PUFA had 15.3% higher plasma fibrin clot permeability (P=.0005), 14.3% shorter lysis time (P<.0001), 33.8% lower prothrombin fragment 1.2 (P=.0013), 13.1% lower 8-iso-prostaglandin F2 alpha (P=.009) and 13.4% lower peak thrombin generation (P=.04). No effects on fibrinogen or CRP were reported.
Furthermore, independent predictors of clot permeability were fibrinogen (P<.0001), assigned treatment (P=.003) and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2 alpha (P=.015).
“Our results demonstrated improved clot properties and decreased thrombin formation after treatment with omega-3 PUFA in CAD patients, indicating novel antithrombotic effects produced by these agents. These effects may contribute to a decreased risk of thrombotic events after PCI following omega-3 PUFA administration,” the researchers wrote. “A larger study is needed to assess clinical benefits potentially related to these novel antithrombotic effects of omega-3 PUFA.”
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