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Effects of n ‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and of rosuvastatin on left ventricular function in chronic heart failure: a substudy of GISSI‐HF trial
Author(s) -
Ghio Stefano,
Scelsi Laura,
Latini Roberto,
Masson Serge,
Eleuteri Ermanno,
Palvarini Michela,
Vriz Olga,
Pasotti Michele,
Gorini Marco,
Marchioli Roberto,
Maggioni Aldo,
Tavazzi Luigi
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
european journal of heart failure
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.149
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1879-0844
pISSN - 1388-9842
DOI - 10.1093/eurjhf/hfq172
Subject(s) - medicine , rosuvastatin , ejection fraction , placebo , heart failure , cardiology , rosuvastatin calcium , polyunsaturated fatty acid , randomization , randomized controlled trial , fatty acid , chemistry , alternative medicine , organic chemistry , pathology
Aims The GISSI‐HF trial showed that n ‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), but not rosuvastatin, reduce morbidity and mortality in patients with symptomatic heart failure (HF) of any cause. The aim of this echocardiographic substudy of GISSI‐HF was to investigate the effects of n ‐3 PUFA and of rosuvastatin on left ventricular (LV) function in such patients. Methods and results Six hundred and eight chronic HF patients were randomized to n ‐3 PUFA ( n = 312) or placebo ( n = 296); a second randomization was performed to rosuvastatin ( n = 212) or placebo ( n = 207). Echocardiographic examinations were recorded at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 years; offline analysis was performed by a core laboratory to ensure consistent quantitative analysis. Baseline LV ejection fraction (EF) was 30% (95%CI 29–31). Left ventricular ejection fraction increased with n ‐3 PUFA by 8.1% at 1 year, 11.1% at 2 years, and 11.5% at 3 years vs. 6.3% at 1 year, 8.2% at 2 years, and 9.9% at 3 years in the placebo group ( P = 0.0050). No other echocardiographic parameter changed significantly. Rosuvastatin effects were not statistically significant. Conclusion n ‐3 PUFA can provide a small but statistically significant advantage in terms of LV function in patients with symptomatic HF of any aetiology, already treated with recommended therapies.