Clemens von Schacky

..Epidemiologic studies, studies of mechanisms of action, and many animal studies indicate that dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids has antiatherosclerotic potential. Few trials in humans have examined this potential...

..The results of ongoing studies on the use of vitamin supplements are as yet unavailable...

..Unfortunately, this complicates efficient implementation of an effective means of prophylaxis of atherosclerosis...

..Quality-controlled close cooperation by the family doctor and cardiologist arguably provides the best long-term care in the area of secondary prevention, but still remains utopian...

..Large-scale clinical studies with endpoints such as morbidity and mortality are needed to more precisely define the role of n-3 fatty acids in primary and secondary prophylaxis of coronary atherosclerosis...

..Together, our investigations lend support to the importance of PDGF-A, PDGF-B, and MCP-1 in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, and the beneficial role of n-3 fatty acids therein...

..EPA and DHA prevent fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular disease and complications of congestive heart failure...

..EPA and DHA have advanced from scientific research into everyday practice, a development reviewed here...

..Recent publications seem to indicate no or an untoward effect of the marine omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid on cardiac rhythm. This review puts these developments into perspective...

..2). HRT significantly decreased LDL cholesterol, fibrinogen, and follicle-stimulating hormone. In conclusion, 1 year of HRT was not effective in slowing progression of subclinical atherosclerosis in postmenopausal women at increased risk...

..Future results will add precision to the value of the Omega-3 Index in cardiology, and probably expand its application to other areas, like psychiatry and pregnancy...

..Embedded in this trial, the present study examined the influence of 2 years of dietary supplementation with 1.65 g omega-3 PUFA per day on progression of carotid atherosclerosis in 223 patients with coronary artery disease...

..As a consequence, relevant cardiac societies recommend using 1 g/day of EPA and DHA for cardiovascular prevention, after a myocardial infarction and for prevention of sudden cardiac death...

..As is the case now for LDL, in the future, the cardiac societies might very well recommend treatment with EPA and DHA to become goal oriented (e.g. an omega-3 index>8%)...

..Ongoing research will define the value of the Omega-3 Index as a risk factor and treatment parameter more precisely...

..Due to methodological considerations and analytical problems, it is advisable to have the omega-3 index determined in certified laboratories...

..025 mg gestodene in every month (HRT 1), or in every third month (HRT 2) slows the increase of intima-media thickness in femoral arteries compared with no HRT...

..We conclude that maximum vasomotion may be more sensitive for detection of endothelial dysfunction than FMD. Endothelial dysfunction in patients with CAD is more pronounced in the popliteal artery than in the brachial artery...

..Currently ongoing and future scientific work on the basis of the Omega-3 Index will further define its value...

..Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids retard coronary atherosclerosis and appear to prevent fatal arrhythmias; and they decrease mortality subsequent to myocardial infarction...

..Marine n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids retard coronary atherosclerosis and appear to prevent fatal arrhythmias; and they decrease mortality subsequent to myocardial infarction...

..All subjects had an increased risk for adverse vascular events as indicated by intima-media thickness of carotid arteries and standard risk factors...

..The precise underlying mechanism, however, remains to be clarified, but might involve PPAR, NF-kappaB and/or the eicosanoid system. The same holds true for the mechanisms by which levels of other cytokines are altered by EPA and DHA...

..A number of structural problems add to individual factors impeding optimal implementation of cardiovascular prevention in Germany...

..This prospective cohort study of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) sought to determine the impact of social support, anger expression and cynical hostility on progression of coronary atherosclerosis as shown by angiography...

..In conclusion, serum BSP circumvents some of the limitations of urinary measurements and appears valuable for the quantitative monitoring of the skeletal response to HRT in healthy postmenopausal women...

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..Primary and secondary prevention are already giving way to risk-adapted prevention, based on an individual assessment of a person's cardiovascular risk...

..Cardiac societies recommend EPA + DHA for prevention of SCD. The omega-3 index can assess risk for SCD and monitor therapy with EPA + DHA. Moreover, it compares very favourably with other risk factors for SCD...

..Omega-3 fatty acids are gaining acceptance in the cardiovascular field. The present review describes the most recent studies and developments in the field...

..We aimed to assess (1) the range of circulating MCP-1 levels in postmenopausal women, (2) the correlation between MCP-1 and atherosclerotic burden, and (3) the effects of commencement and discontinuation of HRT on MCP-1 serum levels...

..Red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid (FA) composition reflects long-term intake of EPA + DHA. We propose that the RBC EPA + DHA (hereafter called the Omega-3 Index) be considered a new risk factor for death from CHD...

..We conclude that low levels of adiponectin are associated with adverse changes in morphology and function of central arteries over time independently of other cardiovascular risk factors in postmenopausal non-diabetic women...

..Carotid artery morphology (plaque burden) and function (stiffness indexes) as predictors of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality were prospectively evaluated in elderly men...