Effects of eicosapentaenoic acid on the physical properties of the common carotid artery in elderly patients with atherosclerosis

This study was conducted to assess the effects of antiatherosclerotic treatment with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) on the hemodynamics and physical properties of the common carotid artery in elderly patients with atherosclerosis. EPA, found in high levels in fish oil, is an omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid that has a variety of pharmacologic effects, including antiplatelet, arterial elasticity-maintaining, and hypolipidemic. EPA has proved to be useful in treating arteriosclerosis obliterans. A total of 18 patients (mean age, 76.2 ± 5.7 years) with atherosclerosis underwent complete Doppler ultrasonic examination of the common carotid artery before and after 16 weeks of treatment with EPA (900 mg or 1800 mg daily). The presence of atherosclerosis was determined by clinical findings, especially according to physical properties of the common carotid artery derived by ultrasound examination. The minimal diameter of the common carotid artery at minimal blood pressure decreased significantly from 7.64 ± 0.93 mm to 7.21 ± 0.97 mm ( P 5 dyne/cm 2 to 8.95 ± 2.78 × 10 5 dyne/cm 2 and from 6.44 ± 2.79 to 5.41 ± 1.79, respectively; P