ω-3 Fatty Acid Supplementation in Patients with Risk Factors: A Randomized Trial

In several recent randomized trials of secondary prevention after myocardial infarction, ω-3 fatty acid supplementation conferred no benefit. Now, Italian researchers have conducted an industry-supported trial that is a hybrid of primary and secondary prevention. The 12,500 participants qualified in three different ways: diabetes plus one other risk factor (48%); four nondiabetes cardiovascular risk factors that included age >65 and male sex (21%); or clinical evidence of atherosclerosis, such as angina, previous stroke, or peripheral vascular disease (30%). Previous myocardial infarction was an exclusion criterion.

Patients received either daily ω-3 fatty acids (1 g) or placebo. During average follow-up of 5 years, the incidence of the prim…