title: Short term omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid supplementation induces favorable changes in right ventricle function and diastolic filling pressure in patients with chronic heart failure; A randomized clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega 3-PUFAs) seem to favorably affect cardiac hemodynamics and may benefit the clinical course of heart failure patients. The role of omega 3-PUFAs supplementation on the left and right ventricular function of patients with chronic compensated systolic heart failure, under optimal treatment, was studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  205 consecutive patients with chronic compensated heart failure, due to ischemic (IHF) or dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)-NYHA classification I-III, under optimal medical treatment, were enrolled. Participants were 1-to-1 randomized on 1000 mg omega 3-PUFA supplementation or no supplementation, in a non-blinded fashion. Echocardiographic assessment was performed at first visit and 6 months after. Plasma BNP and serum creatinine levels were also measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  As compared with the control group, BNP levels in omega 3-PUFA intervention group were 34.6% lower (p=0.001); end-diastolic and end-systolic left ventricle dimensions were decreased by 2.5% (p=0.047) and 3.7% (p=0.01), maximum diameter of left atrium was decreased by 8.4% (p=0.004), left atrium ejection fraction was ameliorated by 6.03% (p=0.021) and as regards tissue Doppler parameters, TDI_Etv/Atv was decreased in omega 3-PUFA intervention group by 6.3% (p=0.038). Moreover, improvement in diastolic indices was more prominent in subjects with DCM as compared to IHF patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Omega 3-PUFA supplementation was associated with improved left diastolic function and decreased BNP levels in patients with chronic heart failure. These findings suggest a beneficial role of omega 3-PUFAs on the hemodynamic course of patients with systolic heart failure.
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, University of Athens, Hippokratio Hospital, Greece. Electronic address: chrysohoou@usa.net.
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chrysohoou
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, University of Athens, Hippokratio Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Metallinos
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, University of Athens, Hippokratio Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Georgiopoulos
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, University of Athens, Hippokratio Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitrios
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mendrinos
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, University of Athens, Hippokratio Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: Aggelos
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Papanikolaou
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, University of Athens, Hippokratio Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: Nikolaos
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Magkas
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, University of Athens, Hippokratio Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: Christos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pitsavos
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, University of Athens, Hippokratio Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: Gregory
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vyssoulis
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, University of Athens, Hippokratio Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: Christodoulos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Stefanadis
authors.affiliation: 1st Cardiology Clinic, University of Athens, Hippokratio Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: Dimitris
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Tousoulis
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3
keywords: BNP; Diastolic dysfunction; Heart failure; Omega 3; PUFAs; Right ventricle; Ultrasound