title: Omega-3 index and prognosis in acute coronary chest pain patients with a low dietary intake of omega-3.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The omega-3 index (eicosapentaenoic acid + docosahexaenoic acid) content in red blood cell membranes has been suggested as a novel risk marker for cardiac death. Objective. To assess the ability of the omega-3 index to predict all-cause mortality, cardiac death and sudden cardiac death following hospitalization with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), and to include arachidonic acid (AA) in risk assessment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The omega-3 index was measured in 572 consecutive patients (median 63 years and 59% males) admitted with chest pain and suspected ACS in an inland Northern Argentinean city with a dietary habit that was essentially based on red meat and a low intake of fish. Clinical endpoints were collected during a 5-year follow-up period, median 3.6 years, range 1 day to 5.5 years. Stepwise Cox regression analysis was employed to compare the rate of new events in the quartiles of the omega-3 index measured at inclusion. Multivariable analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistical significant differences in baseline characteristics were noted between quartiles of the omega-3 index. The median of the adjusted omega-3 index was 3.6%. During the follow-up period, 100 (17.5%) patients died. Event rates were similar in all quartiles of the omega-3 index, with no statistical significant differences. AA added no prognostic information.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In a population with a low intake of fish and fish oils, the adjusted omega-3 index did not predict fatal events following hospitalization in patients with acute chest pain and suspected ACS.
authors.affiliation: Cardiology Research Institute, Catholic University of Salta, Salta, Argentina.
authors.forename: Ricardo León
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: de la Fuente
authors.forename: Patrycja Anna
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Naesgaard
authors.forename: Stein Tore
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Nilsen
authors.forename: Leik
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Woie
authors.forename: Torbjørn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aarsland
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gundersen
authors.forename: Dennis W T
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Nilsen
mesh_terms: D054058:Acute Coronary Syndrome / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000097:blood; D004032:Diet; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000097:blood*; D005260:Female; D005399:Fishes; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3