title: Effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on left ventricular function and functional capacity in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to test the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on left ventricular (LV) systolic function in chronic heart failure (HF) due to nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NICM).
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  One hundred thirty-three patients with NICM and minimal symptoms on standard therapy were randomized to 2 g of n-3 PUFAs or placebo. LV function and functional capacity were assessed prospectively by echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing at baseline and at 12 months after randomization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with chronic HF due to NICM and minimal symptoms while receiving evidence-based therapy were enrolled. LV function and functional capacity were assessed prospectively by echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise test, and New York Heart Association functional class at baseline and at 12 months after randomization to either 2 g of n-3 PUFAs or placebo.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 12 months after randomization, the n-3 PUFAs group and the placebo group differed significantly (p <0.001) in regard to: 1) LV ejection fraction (increased by 10.4% and decreased by 5.0%, respectively); 2) peak VO(2) (increased by 6.2% and decreased by 4.5%, respectively); 3) exercise duration (increased by 7.5% and decreased by 4.8%, respectively); and 4) mean New York Heart Association functional class (decreased from 1.88 ± 0.33 to 1.61 ± 0.49 and increased from 1.83 ± 0.38 to 2.14 ± 0.65, respectively). The hospitalization rates for HF were 6% in the n-3 PUFAs and 30% in the placebo group (p = 0.0002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with NICM and minimal symptoms in response to evidence-based medical therapy, n-3 PUFAs treatment increases LV systolic function and functional capacity and may reduce hospitalizations for HF. Given these promising results, larger studies are in order to confirm our findings.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental and Applied Medicine-Section of Cardiovascular Diseases, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Savina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nodari
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Triggiani
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Campia
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manerba
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Milesi
authors.forename: Bruno M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Cesana
authors.forename: Mihai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gheorghiade
authors.forename: Livio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dei Cas
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000150:complications*; D003971:Diastole / Q000187:drug effects; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004452:Echocardiography; D005080:Exercise Test; D017079:Exercise Tolerance / Q000187:drug effects; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D013599:Systole / Q000187:drug effects; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3