title: [Omega-3 fatty acids in secondary prevention after myocardial infarct].
abstract: The ESC (European Society of Cardiology) recommends treatment with highly concentrated omega-3 fatty acids after myocardial infarction. By daily application of 1 g 84% EPA/DHA-ethyl ester the mortality rate is significantly reduced as shown in the GISSI-Prevenzione study. The main reason for this protective effect is the serum concentration of EPA/DHA which can be adjusted by this dosage. On account of this fact the number of fatal arrhythmias decreases. Concerning secondary prevention omega-3 fatty acids must be given in this form continuously, otherwise a clinically effective level of fatty acids cannot be achieved. Therefore the application of EPA/DHA-ethyl esters should be preferred, because in this case the serum's level can be kept on a sufficiently high level as a result of their more prolonged release.
authors.affiliation: Molekular-kardiologisches Labor, Klinik für Innere Medizin und Kardiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse 1, 35033, Marburg, Germany.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Rupp
mesh_terms: D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D004281:Docosahexaenoic Acids; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid