Hypertension prophylaxis with omega-3 fatty acids in heart transplant recipients.
OBJECTIVE
This study sought to determine whether omega-3 fatty acids act as hypertension prophylaxis in heart transplant recipients and have an impact on vascular reactivity.


BACKGROUND
Cyclosporine-induced hypertension is probably related to endothelial dysfunction. Suggested vasodilatory mechanisms of omega-3 fatty acids may therefore be particularly beneficial in heart transplant recipients.


METHODS
Heart transplant recipients were randomized to receive either 4 g of omega-3 fatty acids (treatment group, n = 14) daily or corn oil (placebo group, n = 14) from the fourth postoperative day. Twenty-four hour blood pressure monitoring was performed at day 12 and 1,2,3 and 6 months postoperatively. Microvascular endothelium-dependent vasodilation, evaluated by skin laser Doppler perfusion measurements of postocclusive reactive hyperemia, was determined preoperatively and at the end of the study.


RESULTS
With comparable characteristics at the time of randomization, blood levels of cyclosporine did not at any point differ between the groups. After 6 months, systolic blood pressure decreased 2 +/- 4 mm Hg (mean +/- SEM) in the treatment group and increased 17 +/- 4 mm Hg in the placebo group (p < 0.01), whereas diastolic blood pressure increased 10 +/- 3 and 21 +/- 2 mm Hg (p < 0.01), respectively. The decrease in systolic blood pressure was inversely proportional to increases in concentrations of serum eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid (p = 0.01). After 6 months, five patients in the treatment group and nine in the placebo group needed additional antihypertensive treatment. Although the endothelial-dependent phase of the reactive hyperemic response remained unchanged in the treatment group, it decreased significantly in the placebo group.


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative daily administration of 4 g of omega-3 fatty acids in heart transplant recipients is effective as hypertension prophylaxis, depending on increases in serum eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids. Preservation of microvascular endothelial function, demonstrated by a more pronounced response to forearm skin ischemia in the treatment group, may contribute to the hypotensive role of omega-3 fatty acids.
Andreassen
A K
AK
Department of Cardiology, National Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
Hartmann
A
A
Offstad
J
J
Geiran
O
O
Kvernebo
K
K
Simonsen
S
S
D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D018660:Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory; D003314:Corn Oil / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000097:blood; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011182:Postoperative Care; D014664:Vasodilation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D003314:Corn Oil; D016572:Cyclosporine; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid