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n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and coronary thrombosis

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Lipids

Abstract

Studies of Greenland Eskimos showed that a very high intake of marine n−3 fatty acids markedly inhibited platelet reactivity and suggested that intake of these fatty acids might prevent coronary thrombosis. Later studies with lower, more practical doses of n−3 fatty acids also have shown a platelet inhibitory effect of n−3 fatty acids, albeit fairly marginal. Furthermore, n−3 fatty acids have little effect on measures of blood coagulability and may slightly decrease fibrinolysis. In animal models, n−3 fatty acids often have been shown to inhibit thrombosis, but again the doses have tended to be very high. Finally, there has been little effect of (low-dose) n−3 fatty acids in clinical trials in humans on the incidence of myocardial infarction. Overall, there is little evidence for a major antithrombotic effect of practical doses of n−3 fatty acids on coronary thrombosis. This does not exclude a beneficial effect of n−3 fatty acids on coronary heart disease as suggested from clinical trials, but the major effect may be antiarrhythmic rather than antithrombotic.

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Abbreviations

AA:

arachidonic acid

DART:

diet and reinfarction trial

DHA:

docosahexaenoic acid

EPA:

eicosapentaenoic acid

IHD:

ischemic heart disease

MI:

myocardial infarction

PG:

prostaglandin

PUFA:

polyunsaturated fatty acids

TX:

thromboxane

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology, Skejby Hospital, Aarhus University Hospital, Brendstrupgaardsvej, DK-8200, Aarhus N, Denmark

    S. D. Kristensen & A. M. Bach Iversen

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Hjoerring Hospital, 9800, Hjoerring, Denmark

    E. B. Schmidt

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  1. S. D. Kristensen
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  2. A. M. Bach Iversen
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  3. E. B. Schmidt
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Correspondence to S. D. Kristensen.

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Kristensen, S.D., Bach Iversen, A.M. & Schmidt, E.B. n−3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and coronary thrombosis. Lipids 36 (Suppl 1), S79–S82 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0686-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0686-8

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