n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease: Principles, Practices, Pitfalls, and Promises - A Contemporary Review.

Amidst voluminous literature, inconsistencies and opposing results have confused rather than clarified cardiologists' ability to assess the potential benefits of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA). In perspective, there are common themes that emerge from n-3 PUFA studies, even as imperfect as they may be. The approach taken was to identify and unite these themes into a manageable, cohesive, evidence-based, yet useful synthesis. In all reviews and meta-analyses, the selection of component studies and assumptions influences outcomes. This overarching principle must be combined with the totality of the data, particularly when evidence is incompletely understood and gaps in knowledge must be bridged. Both the older literature and the most recent rigorous meta-analyses indicate that n-3 PUFA are highly pleiotropic agents with many documented positive physiological effects. Concordance among preclinical, observational, randomized clinical trials and meta-analyses is impressive. These agents have modest, statistically significant benefits which accrue over time. Given their favorable safety profile, a risk reduction of about 10% justifies their potential use in cardiovascular disease.