Prevention & lipidsMeta-analysis
Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on coronary revascularization and cardiovascular events: a meta-analysis
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised trials
- random effects model
Authors' conclusion
Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation reduced the risk of cardiovascular events and coronary revascularization, regardless of background statin use. Eicosapentaenoic acid alone produced greater benefits.
Study context
- Population
- Primary and secondary CV prevention
- Participants
- 134,144 participants · 18 randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Comparison
- Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) or EPA + DHA vs control
- DHA + EPAn = 52,498
- EPA alonen = 14,640
- Control/placebon = 67,006reference
- Outcome
- Coronary revascularization, MI, stroke, HF, unstable angina and CV death
- Follow-up
- 4.5 months to 7.4 years
Pooled result
As reported in the abstract
- revascularization; P-heterogeneity = 0.0002; I2 = 68%
- 0.90 (95% CI 0.84–0.98); P = 0.001
- Myocardial infarction (MI); P-heterogeneity = 0.06; I2 = 41%
- 0.89 (95% CI 0.81–0.98); P = 0.02
- CV death; P-heterogeneity = 0.13; I2 = 33%
- 0.92 (95% CI 0.85–0.99); P = 0.02
Further pooled results
| Outcome | Estimate | P value |
|---|---|---|
| Revascularization, EPA alone vs DHA + EPA · P-interaction = 0.005 | 0.76 (95% CI 0.65–0.88) | P = 0.0002 |
- Revascularization, EPA alone vs DHA + EPA: P-interaction = 0.005
Trials with ≥60% of participants on statins (subgroup)
- Lower risk still observed
Revascularization, EPA alone vs DHA + EPA
- EPA alone: further significant risk reduction of all outcomes except heart failure (HF)
Original publication
Effects of omega-3 fatty acids on coronary revascularization and cardiovascular events: a meta-analysis. Eur J Prev Cardiol. Published 13 June 2024. doi:10.1093/eurjpc/zwae184
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it