Abstract 13945: Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Triglyceride Concentrations, and Cardiovascular Outcomes: The Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT)

Background: Mixed omega-3 fatty acid preparations have shown inconsistent effects on triglyceride concentrations and cardiovascular (CV) events. Nevertheless, several formulations are widely available as prescription medications. Purpose: To assess the frequency of omega-3 fatty acid use and its association with triglyceride concentrations and CV outcomes in high-risk subjects from the Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial (SPRINT). Methods: SPRINT was a randomized, controlled trial in which non-diabetic individuals aged ≥50 years, at high CV risk, and with a systolic blood pressure (BP) 130-180 mmHg were randomized to intensive (systolic BP target <120mmHg) or standard BP control (systolic BP target 135-139 mmHg). The primary outcome was the composite of acute coronary syndromes, stroke, heart failure, or CV death. Omega-3 fatty acid use was extracted via review of medication records of study participants. We first assessed the association between use of omega-3 fatty acids and triglyceride levels at baseline. We then examined associations between omega-3 fatty acid use and CV events. Finally, we tested whether use of omega-3 fatty acids affected the efficacy of other lipid-lowering agents and of intensive BP control. Results: Of 9361 participants, 680 (7.3%) used omega-3 fatty acids at baseline (632 marine-based, 27 plant-based, and 21 both). Median triglyceride concentrations did not differ between patients on omega-3 fatty acids versus those without (110 (range 25-1701) mg/dl versus 106 (range 23-3340) mg/dl; P=0.08). Median follow-up duration was 3.3 (range 0-4.6) years. Omega-3 fatty acid use was not associated with a reduction in the primary endpoint (adjusted hazard ratio 0.90, 95% confidence interval: 0.65-1.25; P=0.54), any of its individual components, or death from any cause (P≥0.05 for all). Moreover, omega-3 fatty acid use did not modify the effect of any other lipid-lowering agent or of intensive versus standard BP control (P≥0.05 for all). Conclusions: More than 7% of high-risk individuals in SPRINT used omega-3 fatty acid preparations. These agents did not affect CV outcomes. Indiscriminate prescription of omega-3 fatty acids should be discouraged, and only preparations with documented efficacy and safety should be used.