Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2025
13:05
Enzymatic Synthesis of Epoxidized Metabolites of Docosahexaenoic, Eicosapentaenoic, and Arachidonic Acids
Published on: June 28, 2019
8.1K
Omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular event lowering
Gurleen Kaur1, R Preston Mason1,2, Ph Gabriel Steg3
1Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
European Journal of Preventive Cardiology
|January 3, 2024
Summary
High-intensity statin therapy effectively lowers LDL-C but residual cardiovascular risk persists. Icosapent ethyl, a purified EPA formulation, shows promise in reducing cardiovascular events in high-risk patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a primary target for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk reduction.
- Residual cardiovascular risk remains a significant concern in high-risk populations despite effective LDL-C lowering therapies.
- Triglycerides are causally linked to ASCVD, but triglyceride-lowering therapies have yielded mixed results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review evidence on omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular event reduction.
- To discuss the clinical implementation of omega-3 fatty acids based on trial data and guidelines.
- To highlight the role of icosapent ethyl in managing residual risk.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of clinical trials investigating omega-3 fatty acids for cardiovascular outcomes.
- Analysis of guideline recommendations for triglyceride-lowering therapies.
- Evaluation of data supporting icosapent ethyl's efficacy.
Main Results:
- Icosapent ethyl, a purified eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) formulation, demonstrated compelling evidence in reducing residual cardiovascular risk.
- Studies show mixed results for other omega-3 fatty acid therapies in cardiovascular outcomes.
- Effective LDL-C lowering does not eliminate residual risk in many high-risk patients.
Conclusions:
- Icosapent ethyl represents a significant advancement in managing residual cardiovascular risk in patients with hypertriglyceridemia on statin therapy.
- Further research and guideline updates are needed to optimize the use of omega-3 fatty acids.
- Addressing residual risk beyond LDL-C remains a critical area in cardiovascular disease prevention.
Related Concept Videos
03:38Structure of Lipids
88.3K
Lipids include a diverse group of compounds that are largely nonpolar in nature. This is because they are hydrocarbons that include mostly nonpolar carbon-carbon or carbon-hydrogen bonds. Non-polar molecules are hydrophobic (“water fearing”), or insoluble in water. Lipids perform many different functions in a cell. Cells store energy for long-term use in the form of fats. Lipids also provide insulation from the environment for plants and animals. For example, they help keep aquatic...
88.3K
01:18Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
745
Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ...
745
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
164
Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
164
01:31Lipid-derived Compounds in the Human Body
4.4K
Fats and lipids are crucial components in the human body. Some lipid-derived compounds, such as fat-soluble vitamins, eicosanoids, lipoproteins, and glycolipids, also play unique roles to support various biological processes .
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin,...
Fat-soluble Vitamins
Fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, are required in minimal quantities, but their deficiencies can lead to severely abnormal physiological conditions. For example, vitamin A deficiency can cause night blindness, dry skin,...
4.4K
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
665
Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
665
01:30Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
702
Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
702