International Congress on Abnominal Obesity
Am J Clin Nutr (May 19, 2010). doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.28982
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© 2010 American Society for Clinical Nutrition

The Mediterranean diet contributes to the preservation of left ventricular systolic function and to the long-term favorable prognosis of patients who have had an acute coronary event1,2

Christina Chrysohoou, Demosthenes B Panagiotakos, Panagiotis Aggelopoulos, Christina-Maria Kastorini, Ioanna Kehagia, Christos Pitsavos and Christodoulos Stefanadis

1 From the First Cardiology Clinic School of Medicine University of Athens Greece (CC PA CPCS)the Department of Nutrition Science–Dietetics Harokopio University Athens Greece (DBP C-MKIK).

2 Address correspondence to DB Panagiotakos, 46 Paleon Polemiston Street, 166 74, Glyfada, Greece. E-mail: d.b.panagiotakos{at}usa.net.

ABSTRACT

Background: The effect of the cardioprotective Mediterranean diet on the development of cardiac abnormalities and prognosis of cardiac patients has rarely been investigated.

Objective: We sought to evaluate the relation between the Mediterranean diet, the development of left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) at hospitalization, and the 2-y prognosis of patients who have had an acute coronary syndrome (ACS).

Design: During 2006–2009, 1000 consecutive patients with ACS were enrolled; of these patients, 459 had LVSD (ejection fraction <40%) at hospitalization [367 men with a mean (±SD) age of 64 ± 14 y, and 92 women aged 71 ± 12 y], whereas 541 had preserved left ventricular systolic function (421 men aged 62 ± 12 y, and 120 women aged 67 ± 12 y). Adherence to the Mediterranean diet was assessed by the validated Mediterranean Diet Score (MedDietScore; theoretical range: 0–55).

Results: The MedDietScore was associated with less likelihood of developing LVSD at hospitalization [odds ratio (OR) per 1/55 unit: 0.93; 95% CI: 0.88, 0.99; P = 0.04], less likelihood of remodeling (ie, ejection fraction <50% at 3 mo follow-up; OR: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.78, 1.03: P = 0.06), and less likelihood of recurrent cardiovascular disease events during the 2 y of follow-up (OR: 0.88; 95% CI: 0.80, 0.98; P = 0.04), after adjustment for various confounders.

Conclusions: Greater adherence to the Mediterranean diet seems to preserve left ventricular systolic function and is associated with better long-term prognosis of patients who have had an ACS.

Received for publication November 23, 2009. Accepted for publication April 21, 2010.