The consumption of fish has been associated with a minor risk of cardiovascular mortality.
Thirty-one patients with clinical and angiographic evidence of coronary illness and no data of heart failure were followed up. One gram per day of omega-3-acid ethyl esters was added to their usual cardiologic treatment. Demographic, clinical and analytical data (lipid, ESR, CRP, lipoprotein[a], fibrinogen, and BNP levels) were evaluated at the beginning and at 9 months.
Six patients had cardiologic events in the follow up although none presented acute coronary syndrome. Significant differences were seen in HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) (38,5[9,6] vs. 42,1 (11,0), p = 0,000), hemoglobin (g/dL) (13,2 [1,7] vs. 13,9 (1,7), p = 0,009) and pro-BNP (pg/dL) (745,5 [1,035,7] vs. 235,8 [194,0], p = 0,008) levels. No significant differences existed either in the inflammatory parameters or in total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
One gram day of omega-3-acid ethyl esters added to the usual cardiologic treatment in patients with coronary heart disease improves pro BNP levels of patients with preserved left ventricular function without modifying serum inflammatory parameters.