Intermittent Fasting After ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Improves Left Ventricular Function: The Randomized Controlled INTERFAST-MI Trial.

BACKGROUND

Intermittent fasting has shown positive effects on numerous cardiovascular risk factors. The INTERFAST-MI trial (Intermittent Fasting in Myocardial Infarction) has been designed to study the effects of intermittent fasting on cardiac function after STEM (ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction) and the feasibility of future multicenter trials.

METHODS

The INTERFAST-MI study was a prospective, randomized, controlled, nonblinded, single-center investigator-initiated trial. From October 1, 2020, to July 15, 2022, 48 patients were randomized to the study groups intermittent fasting or regular diet and followed for 6 months with follow-up visits at 4 weeks and 3 months.

RESULTS

In all, 22 of 24 patients in the intermittent fasting group with a mean age of 58.54±12.29 years and 20 of 24 patients in the regular diet group with a mean age of 59.60±13.11 years were included in the intention-to-treat population. The primary efficacy end point (improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction after 4 weeks) was significantly greater in the intermittent fasting group compared with the control group (mean±SD, 6.636±7.122%. versus 1.450±4.828%;

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that intermittent fasting after myocardial infarction may be safe and could improve left ventricular function after STEMI.

REGISTRATION

URL: https://www.drks.de; Unique identifier: DRKS00021784.