Efficacy of diet with low glycemic index in evaluating outcomes after stenting in ischemic heart disease

Introduction. Nutritional intervention is a critical element of post-stenting cardiac rehabilitation. Among dietary strategies, low-carbohydrate regimens have emerged as a potentially beneficial approach for enhancing metabolic control and minimizing complications in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD).

Objective. To evaluate the effects of a low-carbohydrate diet on lipid metabolism, systemic inflammation, and clinical outcomes following percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods. A total of 108 post-stenting patients were enrolled and randomly assigned to either a low-carbohydrate diet group (n=54) or a standard diet group (n=54). Over a 12-month follow-up, assessments included lipid and glycemic profiles, inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α), echocardiographic parameters, and incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE).

Results. Patients adhering to the low-carbohydrate diet showed significant reductions in triglycerides (−28.5%, p<0.001), low-density lipoprotein (−18.7%, p<0.05), fasting glucose (−9.3%, p<0.01), and insulin levels (−16.8%, p<0.001), with a concurrent rise in high-density lipoprotein (+15.2%, p<0.01). Inflammatory markers were significantly lower, which paralleled a reduced incidence of recurrent angina (7.4% vs. 15.8%, p=0.03), repeat revascularization (5.2% vs. 12.6%, p=0.02), and cardiovascular mortality (2.1% vs. 5.9%, p=0.04).

Conclusions. Implementation of a low-carbohydrate diet in post-PCI care enhances metabolic profiles, attenuates inflammation, and lowers the risk of adverse cardiovascular events, underscoring its utility as a key element in comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation.