Higher levels of serum omega-3 fatty acids at the time of ST-segment elevation MI (STEMI) are associated with better survival and fewer major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), a study shows.

Researchers examined data on 944 consecutive Spanish STEMI patients who underwent primary percutaneous coronary interventions.

After three years of follow-up, 22% had experienced MACE, 14% had been readmitted for cardiovascular causes, and 11% had died.

At the time of STEMI, measurements were made of the proportion of serum phosphatidylcholine derived from eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), as a proxy for consumption of marine sources of omega 3. This was found to be 58% on average.