Contrasting results of REDUCE-IT and STRENGTH trials of Omega 3

Contrasting results of REDUCE-IT and STRENGTH trials of Omega 3 Contrasting results of REDUCE-IT [1] and STRENGTH [2] trials of Omega 3 fatty acid preparations have caught the attention of scientific community. Icosapent ethyl, a highly purified eicosapentaenoic acid ethyl ester was evaluated in REDUCE-IT (Reduction of Cardiovascular Events With Icosapent Ethyl-Intervention Trial). In STRENGTH trial carboxylic acid formulation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) were used. REDUCE-IT was a multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo controlled trial. Patients enrolled had established cardiovascular disease or diabetes with other risk factors. They were receiving statin therapy and had fasting triglyceride level between 135 to 499 mg/dL and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol between 41 to 100 mg/dL. Primary endpoint for the REDUCE-IT trial was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, coronary revascularization, or unstable angina. Key secondary endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or nonfatal stroke. Of the total 8179 patients enrolled, 70.7% were for secondary prevention of cardiovascular events and median follow up was 4.9 years. Primary endpoint occurred in 17.2% of the icosapent ethyl group compared to 22.0% in the placebo group. Key secondary endpoint occurred in 11.2% and 14.8% respectively. A higher incidence of hospitalization for atrial fibrilla...
Source: Cardiophile MD - Category: Cardiology Authors: Tags: General Cardiology Source Type: blogs