Statin–omega-3 combo trumps monotherapy at stabilizing coronary plaques

Combining omega-3 supplements with statin therapy seems to improve coronary plaque regression, leading to lower risks of cardiovascular events, a recent meta-analysis reports.

Drawing from the databases of PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane, researchers retrieved eight eligible studies that used various imaging techniques to measure coronary atherosclerotic plaques. The effect of statins alone was compared with its combination with omega-3 supplements.

The cumulative sample included 803 participants, of whom 52.4 percent (n=421) received the combination therapy, while 47.6 percent (n=382) were given the monotherapy control. Pooled analysis of five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) showed that the combination of statin and supplement significantly slowed the progression of coronary plaque volume (standardized mean difference [SMD], –0.36, 95 percent confidence interval [CI], –0.64 to –0.08; p=0.01).

Six studies provided evidence regarding lipid volume, of which two were RCTs. The combination of omega-3 and statins likewise significantly delayed the progression of lipid volume of coronary plaques relative to monotherapy (SMD, –0.96, 95 percent CI, –1.64 to –0.27; p=0.006).

In terms of blood chemistry, the combination intervention also led to significantly lower levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (SMD, –0.30, 95 percent CI, –0.59 to –0.01; p=0.04). In contrast, no such effect was reported for high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations.

“Omega-3 combined with statins is superior to the statin treatment group in stabilizing and promoting coronary plaque regression and may help to further reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular events,” the researchers said.