Angioplasty
Supplements studied for angioplasty.
Overview
Only Fish Oil is indexed for angioplasty, with 14 studies and medium ratings (WA 44).
Oral fish oil started at least three weeks before certain heart procedures and continued afterward may reduce artery re-narrowing (restenosis). Reported reductions reach up to 45% when supplementation begins early and continues for months. Studied regimens included roughly 6 grams daily before the procedure, tapering to 3 grams for six months, or high capsule counts providing around 2.7 grams EPA.
Timing and dose appear important. See the evidence reviews below for trial-level detail.
Effect graph
Relevant supplements
Relevant supplements sorted by DEX Score.
| Fish Oil | ★★★★★ | Very Low / None |
Studies
Find individual evidence reviews for supplements sorted by DEX Score.
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Fish OilView supplement →
Reconsider purchase·★★★★★
How we scored this▸
- Taking fish oil by mouth for at least three weeks before certain heart procedures (angioplasty) and continuing supplementation can help prevent the artery from narrowing again (restenosis).
- Studies show fish oil can reduce recurrence by up to 45% when started early enough and taken for months afterward.
- Effective doses included 6 grams daily starting one month before the procedure, then lowering to 3 grams daily for six months; or about 15 fish oil capsules daily (containing around 2.7 grams EPA and 1.8 grams DHA) started three weeks before and continued for 6 months.
- Taking fish oil less than two weeks before the procedure does not seem to help, although some studies disagree.
Browse 14 studies·3 meta-analyses
MetaFish oils in the care of coronary heart disease patients: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials2004n=14,727
A meta-analysis of 7 studies studying the efficacy of fish oils in preventing restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) found benefits from supplementation. [10650]
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 14,727
RCTPrevention of postcoronary angioplasty restenosis by omega-3 fatty acids: main results of the Esapent for Prevention of Restenosis ITalian Study (ESPRIT)2002n=125
A study of 257 patients given fish oil (n =125, Esapent) for 1 months before PTCA and for 1 month after, then continued at half dose (3 g/day fish oil) for 6 months found a reduced rate of restenosis (Defined by quantitative angiography as 50% diameter stenosis in the dilated vessel [D1] or a >50% loss of the short-term gain immediately after PTCA [D2 – Not significant]) at the end of treatment compared to placebo. In those taking fish oil, D1 & D2 restenosis rates were 31.2% and 33.6% compared to 40.9% and 37.1% in the placebo group. [10651]
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 months
- Dose
- 3 g/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 125
RCTN-3 fatty acids do not prevent restenosis after coronary angioplasty: results from the CART study. Coronary Angioplasty Restenosis Trial1999n=388
A study of 388 patients found that fish oil supplementation (5.1 g n-3 FA/day), starting at least 2 weeks prior to elective coronary angioplasty and continued until follow-up at 6 months, did not significantly reduce incidence of restenosis (fish oil 40.6%) compared to corn oil (35.4%). [10652]
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 5.1 g/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 388
RCTFish oils and low-molecular-weight heparin for the reduction of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. The EMPAR Study1996n=814
A clinical trial of 653 patients found that fish oil (5.4 g/day n-3 FAs) taken for a median 6 days before PTCA and for 18 weeks following PTCA did not reduce restenosis rates compared to placebo. [10653]
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 18 weeks
- Dose
- 5.4 g/day
- Population
- PTCA patients
- Participants
- 814
RCTDo fish oils prevent restenosis after coronary angioplasty?1994n=70
A study of 447 patients found that 10 g/day fish oil for 6 months did not reduce rate of restenosis compared to corn oil. [10654]
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 6 months
- Dose
- 10 g/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 70
RCTA prospective, randomized, and double-blind trial on the effect of fish oil on the incidence of restenosis following PTCA1993n=204
A study of 204 successful PTCA patients found that 3.15 g/day omega-3 FAs started immediately after PTCA and maintained over 4 months did not lead to a significant reduction in coronary artery restenosis. [10656]
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 4 months
- Dose
- 3.15 g/day
- Population
- CAD patients
- Participants
- 204
MetaPreventing restenosis with fish oils following coronary angioplasty. A meta-analysis1993
A meta-analysis of 7 studies (4 double-blinded) found that fish oil supplementation (avg 3000-6484 mg/day) reduced restenosis rates after coronary angioplasty. In four studies using angiography to determine restenosis, the absolute difference in restenosis was 13.9% and there was positive linear relationship between fish oil dose and absolute difference in restenosis rates compared to control. When 3 studies using stress testing to determine restenosis were included (total 7 studies), the risk difference was 5.1% (95% CI, -3.8% to 13.9%). [10655]
- Effect
- Benefit
- Dose
- 6484 mg/day
MetaA meta-analysis of randomized trials of fish oil in prevention of restenosis following coronary angioplasty1992n=951
A meta-analysis of 7 studies involving 951 PTCA patients found that fish oil reduced the rate of restenosis. [10657]
- Effect
- Benefit
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 951
RCTCan supplementation of diet with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduce coronary angioplasty restenosis rate?1992n=20
A study of 120 coronary angioplasty patients given either 3 g/day fish oil or placebo (1-2 days prior to angioplasty then for 6 months following angioplasty) found no significant difference in restenosis rates at the end of the study. [10659]
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 6 months
- Dose
- 3 g/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 20
RCTDouble-blind, randomized, controlled trial of fish oil supplements in prevention of recurrence of stenosis after coronary angioplasty1992n=205
A study of 205 patients undergoing a first PTCA found that 15 g/day fish oil (2.7 g EPA + 1.8 g DHA) taken for 3 weeks before PTCA and for 6 months afterwards reduced the rate of restenosis (occurred in 22.0-35.6% in fish oil group) compared to control (40.0-53.3%) in three of four definitions. A dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids of more than 0.15 g/day was associated with a reduced likelihood of restenosis (P = 0.03). [10660]
- Effect
- Benefit
- Duration
- 6 months
- Dose
- 2.7 g/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 205
RCTFish oil supplements for prevention of restenosis after coronary angioplasty1992n=58
A study of 107 patients who had previously undergone PTCA found that a combination of aspirin, calcium blockers and 3 g/day fish oil beginning around 4.3 (SD 2.9) days before coronary angioplasty for at least 6 months did not reduce incidence of early restenosis compared to only aspirin and calcium blockers. [10658]
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Dose
- 3 g/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 58
RCTDeterminants of restenosis and lack of effect of dietary supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid on the incidence of coronary artery restenosis after angioplasty1989n=108
A study of 101 patients found that omega 3 (1.8 g EPA + 1.2 g DHA) supplementation in combination with aspirin and verapamil commencing the day before angioplasty and continued for 4 months did not reduce the incidence of early restenosis after coronary angioplasty during mean follow up of 100 days compared to placebo, aspirin and verapamil. [10661]
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 4 months
- Dose
- 3 g EPA + 1.2 g DHA/day
- Population
- Angina patients
- Participants
- 108
RCTRandomised trial of fish oil for prevention of restenosis after coronary angioplasty1989n=204
In 204 post-angioplasty patients over 6 months, 6 g/day fish oil did not prevent restenosis and showed 34% angiographic restenosis versus 23% with olive oil placebo (RR 1.7, 95% CI 0.9–3.4).
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 6 months
- Dose
- 6 g/day
- Population
- Adults
- Participants
- 204
RCTUsefulness of fish oil supplements in preventing clinical evidence of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty1989n=95
In 194 post-PTCA patients, high-dose omega-3 4.5 g/day for 6 months did not reduce clinical restenosis versus conventional therapy alone; 11 of 95 assigned fish oil stopped for side effects.
- Effect
- No Benefit
- Duration
- 6 months
- Dose
- 4.5 g/day
- Population
- Women
- Participants
- 95
Evidence visualised
Same ratings as above, aggregated so you can see coverage and imbalance.
| Supplement | DEX | Studies | Meta-analyses | Share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish Oil | ★★★★★44% | 14 | 3 | 100% |