Variations in the eicosapentaenoic acid-arachidonic acid ratio associated with age in acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary percutaneous coronary intervention

The Influence of Eicosapentaenoic Acid to Arachidonic Acid Ratio on Long-term Cardiovascular Events Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

Objective The relationship between cardiovascular disease and the serum polyunsaturated fatty acid parameters has been reported. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the eicosapentaenoic acid and arachidonic acid (EPA/AA) ratio and long-term cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease. Methods We identified a total of 831 patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention and whose EPA/AA ratio was available. The patients were divided into two groups according to their serum EPA/AA ratio (median, 0.29; interquartile range 0.19-0.47): those in the lower quartile of EPA/AA ratios (Low EPA/AA group; n=231) and all other subjects (High EPA/AA group; n=600). The primary endpoints included a composite of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, and ischemic stroke. Results Patients in the Low EPA/AA group were significantly younger (66.0±12.6 years vs. 69.9±9.3 years, p<0.001), current smokers (33.3% vs. 22.7%, p=0.002), and had a history of myocardial infarction (20.3% vs. 12.3%, p=0.003). During the follow-up (median, 1,206 days; interquartile range, 654-1,910 days), the occurrence of the primary endpoint was significantly higher in the Low EPA/AA group than in the High EPA/AA group. Of note, the rate of cardiovascular death was significantly higher in the Low EPA/AA group, and the rates of myocardial infarction and stroke tended to be higher. Conclusion A low EPA/AA ratio was associated with long-term adverse cardiovascular events in Japanese patients with coronary artery disease.

The Effects of Lipid-Lowering Therapy on Serum Eicosapentaenoic Acid to Arachidonic Acid Ratio: An HIJ-PROPER Sub-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Controversy remains regarding the influence of lipid-lowering therapy on the eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to clarify the effects of lipid-lowering therapy on the eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

METHODS

This was a post hoc sub-analysis of the Heart Institute of Japan-PRoper level of lipid-lowering with pitavastatin and ezetimibe in ACS study. We compared the eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio changes from baseline to the 3-month follow-up after contemporary lipid-lowering therapy with pitavastatin + ezetimibe therapy and pitavastatin mono-therapy.

RESULTS

Among patients with ACS and dyslipidemia, the eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid increased significantly in the pitavastatin mono-therapy group (0.40 ± 0.26 to 0.46 ± 0.34, P < .0001) but did not increase in the pitavastatin + ezetimibe group (0.37 ± 0.22 to 0.38 ± 0.27, P = .18). When the analysis was limited to patients who received 2 mg/day of pitavastatin during the follow-up period, these trends in changes of the eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio remained unchanged. Multivariate analysis showed that ezetimibe use (P = .005; β = 0.09), ST-elevation myocardial infarction (P = .04; β = -0.01), and baseline low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level (P = .0003; β = 0.12) were independent predictors of the percentage change in the eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio. These trends were similar even when the analysis was limited to patients who did not take statins at enrollment.

CONCLUSION

Standard lipid-lowering therapy with pitavastatin mono-therapy improved the eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio for patients with ACS. Intensive lipid-lowering therapy with pitavastatin + ezetimibe did not improve the eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio, although LDL-C decreased significantly. Inhibition of the improvement in the eicosapentaenoic acid/arachidonic acid ratio by adding ezetimibe may affect cardiovascular disease prognosis.