Drug Prepared Using Fish Oil Shrinks Plaque in Arteries

Medication prepared from a highly purified form of EPA or omega-3 fatty acid present in fish found to decrease the size of plaque in the heart’s arteries, according to a study published by the European Heart Journal. The study results can explain why icosapent ethyl (Vascepa), decreased the risk of heart attack and stroke by around 26% in risky patients.

The study was done on 80 people with fatty plaque in the arteries of the heart and most of them are diabetic using a statin. Their trigly­cerides were increased, ranging from 135 to 499 milligrams per deciliter. Half were randomized to take 4 grams of icosapent ethyl daily; the other half received a placebo.

After 18 months, imaging tests showed that the group taking the drug had less dangerous plaque compared with the placebo group. The total volume of plaque was also lower among those taking the drug.



Source-Medindia