title: Efficacy and safety of parenteral omega 3 fatty acids in ventilated patients with acute lung injury.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effects of parenteral omega 3 fatty acids (10% fatty acids) on respiratory parameters and outcome in ventilated patients with acute lung injury.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients were randomized into two groups - one receiving standard isonitrogenous isocaloric enteral diet and the second receiving standard diet supplemented with parenteral omega 3 fatty acids (Omegaven, Fresenius Kabi) for 14 days. Patients demographics, APACHE IV, Nutritional assessment and admission category was noted at the time of admission. No significant difference was found in nutritional variables (BMI, Albumin). Compared with baseline PaO(2)/FiO(2) ratio (control vs. drug group: 199 ± 124 vs. 145 ± 100; P = 0.06), by days 4, 7, and 14, patients receiving the drug did not show a significant improvement in oxygenation (PaO(2)/FiO(2): 151.83 ± 80.19 vs. 177.19 ± 94.05; P = 0.26, 145.20 ± 109.5 vs. 159.48 ± 109.89; P = 0.61 and 95.97 ± 141.72 vs. 128.97 ± 140.35; P = 0.36). However, the change in oxygenation from baseline to day 14 was significantly better in the intervention as compared to control group (145/129 vs. 199/95; P < 0.0004). There was no significant difference in the length of ventilation (LOV) and length of ICU stay (LOS). There was no difference in survival at 28 days. Also, there was no significant difference in the length of ventilation and ICU stay in the survivors group as compared to the non survivors group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome, intravenous Omega 3 fatty acids alone do not improve ventilation, length of ICU stay, or survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Artemis Health Institute, Sector 51, Gurgaon, Haryana, India.
authors.forename: Ajay
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Govil
authors.forename: Shaleen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bhatnagar
authors.forename: Sachin
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Jyoti
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Goyal
authors.forename: Sweta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.forename: Himanshu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Baweja