Omega-3 Fatty Acid

Healio and Cardiology Today present a list of the most-viewed cardiology articles in December. This month, our readers were most interested in benefits of intermittent fasting, the effect of chili pepper consumption on the heart, oral hygiene and CV health, the FDA approval of apixaban generics and more.

The FDA on Friday approved the use of icosapent ethyl as an adjunctive therapy to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events among adults with elevated triglyceride levels, according to an agency press release.

Omega-3 supplementation of 1 g per day did not appear to reduce the risk for colorectal cancer precursors among the average-risk U.S. population, according to results of an ancillary study of the randomized VITAL trial published in JAMA Oncology.

PHILADELPHIA — Interventions with vitamin D or omega-3 failed to reduce rates of first heart failure hospitalization in a large cohort of healthy adults, although researchers observed a benefit for recurrent HF hospitalization with fish oil supplementation, according to findings from an ancillary study of the VITAL trial presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions.

WASHINGTON — Results from an ancillary study to the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial, known as VITAL, demonstrated no difference in eGFR reduction between patients with type 2 diabetes who were assigned to either supplementation or placebo. Data were presented at ASN Kidney Week and simultaneously published in JAMA.

Eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, combined with statin therapy significantly reduced the incidence of major adverse CV events, according to a meta-analysis published in The American Journal of Cardiology.

CHICAGO — Findings of cardiovascular benefit with icosapent ethyl treatment from the REDUCE-IT trial have already revealed actionable clinical implications, but determining whether triglyceride reductions or eicosapentaenoic acid increases are the key mechanisms will be the focus of continuing research, according to a speaker at the Cardiometabolic Heath Congress.

Healio and Cardiology Today compiled a list of the most-viewed cardiology posts in August. This month, our readers were interested in barriers for women with heart disease, a science advisory on omega-3 fatty acids, healthy plant-based diets, diversity in cardiology and much more.

Four grams per day of omega-3 fatty acids, specifically eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid together or eicosapentaenoic acid alone, is clinically useful as monotherapy or in addition to other therapies to reduce triglycerides after implementing diet and lifestyle changes and addressing any underlying causes, according to an American Heart Association science advisory published in Circulation.

Volanesorsen reduced triglycerides in 77% of patients with familial chylomicronemia syndrome to less than 750 mg/dL, according to a study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.