Icosapent Ethyl Linked to Fewer Hospitalizations and Days Lost in REDUCE-IT Analysis

Post-hoc study finds icosapent ethyl reduced total hospitalizations and days lost due to hospitalization and death in high-risk patients.

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A peer-reviewed paper published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology indicates that in a post-hoc analysis of the REDUCE-IT study, patients treated with icosapent ethyl (IPE) experienced fewer total hospitalizations and fewer days lost due to hospitalization and death, providing additional insights on the effects of IPE on patient-centered measures of total disease burden.

Why it matters

This analysis of the landmark REDUCE-IT study highlights the real-world relevance of IPE treatment for patients, as fewer hospitalizations can make a meaningful difference in daily life, allowing people to maintain independence and spend more time at home. These findings extend the benefits of IPE beyond just cardiovascular prevention to potentially reducing the overall burden of hospitalizations and increasing the chances of individuals living without hospitalization.

The details

The analysis evaluated 8,179 participants randomized to receive either IPE 2 g twice daily or placebo and followed for a median of five years. It determined that IPE treatment was associated with fewer total hospitalizations, participants randomized to IPE were more likely to survive until the end of the study without hospitalization, and those who were hospitalized or died had fewer days lost.

  • The REDUCE-IT study was conducted over seven years and completed in 2018.
  • The post-hoc analysis was published in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology in 2026.

The players

Amarin Corporation plc

A global pharmaceutical company committed to reducing the cardiovascular disease burden and advancing the science of cardiovascular care.

Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, MBA

Director of the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, and the principal investigator for the REDUCE-IT study.

Michael Szarek, PhD

Lead author of the analysis, from the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO.

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What they’re saying

“What stands out most in this analysis is the real-world relevance for patients and their families. Fewer hospitalizations can make a meaningful difference in daily life - allowing people to maintain independence and spend more time at home. These findings extend the benefits of treatment with IPE beyond cardiovascular prevention to potentially reduce the burden of hospitalizations and increase the chances of an individual living without hospitalization.”

— Deepak L. Bhatt, Director of the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

“For patients already managing heart disease or diabetes, every day outside the hospital matters. In this high-risk population, we saw reductions not only in how often individuals were hospitalized, but also in how much time they lost to being in the hospital or from premature death. These patient focused outcomes reinforce that IPE may help people spend more time living their lives and less time receiving acute medical care - a result with great significance for patients, their families, and the healthcare system at large.”

— Michael Szarek, Lead author, Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus

What’s next

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The takeaway

This analysis highlights the potential for icosapent ethyl to not only reduce cardiovascular risk, but also decrease the burden of hospitalizations and days lost to acute medical care for high-risk patients, which could have significant benefits for patients, their families, and the healthcare system.