Liakou P, Mason P, Maughan R, et al. - O3FA formulations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) alone as icosapent ethyl (IPE) were found to be superior to mixtures containing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) for conferring protection in statin-treated patients with cardiovascular disease (CVD). IPE-induced benefits were due to potential anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-thrombotic actions.

• In the REDUCE-IT trial, IPE given 4 g/d resulted in significant reduction in clinical events in high-risk patients with diabetes and other risk factors of CV disease.

• This is a meta-analysis of 17 clinical trials of omega-3 fatty acids (formulations with EPA alone or in combination with DHA) in patients with cardiovascular disease.

• Five of 17 trials used EPA alone and met the defined endpoints [non-fatal myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease (CHD) death, total CHD, CVD death, total CVD, total stroke and major vascular events].

• A combination of EPA and DHA was used in the rest of the 12 trials, of which only 4 (33%) met the defined endpoints, but only in patients where statin use was not prespecified.

• There was no correlation between differences in outcomes and triglyceride lowering.