Maladies cardiovasculaires et diagnostic

Safety of Prolonged Fasting in Patients Who Underwent Percutaneous Coronary Intervention More than One Year Earlier

Abstract

Javad Kojuri

Background: This study aimed to examine the effect of prolonged fasting on symptoms and major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) more than 1 year.

Methods: Patients with history of PCI more than 1 year were selected in this study. Patients were instructed how to divide their medication across two meals. We asked patients to immediately stop prospective cohort fasting and contact the clinic if they experienced any signs of cardiovascular disease, including shortness of breath, chest pain, or palpitations. At the end of Ramadan, patients were contacted by telephone and asked about their symptoms, and MACE.

Results: 405 patients were enrolled. There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the fasting and non-fasting group. No MACE was reported in either group. In the fasting group, 7 patients (3.4%) stopped fasting during Ramadan due to dyspnea, chest pain, or combined dyspnea and chest pain. In the non-fasting group, 5 patients (2.5%) reported dyspnea, chest pain, or combined dyspnea and chest pain (p=0.581). Patients in fasting group developed more changes in BP (increase or decrease), compare to no fasting group (P=0.04), but changes were not that significant to make patients seek any medical assistances.

Conclusion: In patients with a history of PCI more than 1 year, fasting was not associated with acute health risks. Patient education can play an important role in reducing the risks. (clinicaltrial.gov: NCT04772924, 26/02/2021)