title: Double-blind, randomized, controlled trial of fish oil supplements in prevention of recurrence of stenosis after coronary angioplasty.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies suggest that recurrence of coronary stenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) might be prevented with dietary supplements rich in omega-3 fatty acids. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate this hypothesis. In addition, the relation between usual dietary consumption of omega-3 fatty acids and restenosis was assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted in which 205 patients undergoing a first PTCA received 15 capsules per day containing 1 g of either fish oil (2.7 g/day of eicosapentaenoic acid, 1.8 g/day of docosahexaenoic acid) or olive oil. The treatment was started 3 weeks before PTCA and continued for 6 months thereafter. Dietary intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire. At 6 months after PTCA, patients underwent a control angiography. All angiographic lesions were measured by quantitative computer analysis. Four criteria were used to define restenosis. Restenosis occurred less often in the fish oil group (22.0-35.6% depending on the definition) than in the control group (40.0-53.3%). After controlling for other risk factors of restenosis, the association of fish oil supplementation with a lower frequency of restenosis was statistically significant (p = 0.03) for three of four definitions. After adjustment, a dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids of more than 0.15 g/day was also associated with a lower frequency of restenosis (p less than or equal to 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This trial documented the protective effect of fish oil supplements on the recurrence of coronary stenosis 6 months after PTCA. The study results suggest that a dietary intervention could be useful in preventing restenosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Laval University, Quebec City, Ste-Foy, Canada.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bairati
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Meyer
mesh_terms: D015906:Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary; D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004338:Drug Combinations; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D004338:Drug Combinations; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005395:Fish Oils; C045153:Maxepa; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid