This study was designed to test the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) on left ventricular (LV) systolic function in chronic heart failure (HF) due to non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (NICM). A total of 133 patients with NICM and minimal symptoms on standard therapy were randomized to receive n-3 PUFAs or placebo. For the first month, patients took 5 caps/d (~4250 mg combined EPA+DHA), after which they took 2 caps per day (1700 mg) for 11 months. Both groups were treated with an ACE inhibitor/angiotensin-receptor blocker, a beta blocker, and furosemide. LV function and functional capacity were assessed by echocardiography and cardiopulmonary exercise testing at baseline and at 12 months. After 12 months, the n-3 PUFAs group and the placebo group differed significantly (p <0.001) in regard to: 1) LV ejection fraction (increased by 10.4% and decreased by 5.0% respectively); 2) peak VO(2) (increased by 6.2% and decreased by 4.5% respectively); 3) exercise duration (increased by 7.5% and decreased by 4.8% respectively); and 4) mean New York Heart Association functional class (decreased from 1.88 ± 0.33 to 1.61 ± 0.49 and increased from 1.83 ± 0.38 to 2.14 ± 0.65 respectively). The hospitalization rates for heart failure were 6% in the n-3 PUFAs and 30% in the placebo group (p = 0.0002). (J Am Coll Cardiol. 2010 Dec 29.) PMID: 21215550.
