title: Fish-oil-containing diet and platelet aggregation.
abstract: Current research suggests that a diet high in fish oil may be useful for immunomodulation in hospitalized patients. However, one of the side effects of fish oil is a prolongation of the bleeding time, specifically by reducing platelet aggregability. Although this effect might be beneficial for patients with cardiovascular disease, it would be a potential concern in certain critically ill patients. To address this concern, we conducted a prospective study of platelet aggregation in 16 surgical patients who were randomly assigned to receive either a diet containing 16.5 g of fish oil in 1500 ml (Impact) or usual care (standard enteral formulas devoid of fish oil). Feeding was successfully accomplished in the patient group receiving a diet that provided approximately 14.2 g of fish oil/day for 1 wk without significantly affecting platelet aggregability. Thus, it appears that, over the short term, this dose of fish oil does not alter platelet function in hospitalized surgical patients.
authors.affiliation: Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts.
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Swails
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Bell
authors.forename: B R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Bistrian
authors.forename: E J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pfister
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Forse
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kelly
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Blackburn
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D005395:Fish Oils / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects*; D010979:Platelet Function Tests; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D005395:Fish Oils