Do antioxidants (vitamins C, E) improve outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease?

Abstract

Antioxidant supplements of vitamins E and C do not reduce cardiovascular death in people with coronary artery disease. Vitamin E supplementation, in a variety of doses, does not decrease the incidence of cardiovascular or all-cause mortality (grade of recommendation: A, 4 high quality randomized controlled trials [RCTs]). There is no evidence that vitamin C decreases mortality in patients at risk for coronary disease (grade of recommendation: A, meta-analysis of 3 small RCTs). Combination antioxidant regimens (Vitamins E, C, and betacarotene) seem safe, but do not decrease mortality or incidence of major coronary and vascular events (grade recommendation: A, 1 high-quality RCT).