omega-3 fatty acids (University of Chicago)

Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically high-dose fish oil (4 grams per day), are being investigated by researchers at the University of Chicago as a prophylactic treatment for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding in patients with continuous-flow left ventricular assist devices (CF-LVAD). Patients with CF-LVADs are prone to GI bleeding due to the development of mucosal arteriovenous malformations (AVMs), a process driven by altered hemodynamics and increased angiogenic factors. Omega-3 fatty acids are thought to mitigate this risk through their anti-inflammatory and antiangiogenic properties, specifically by reducing the expression of TNF-α and angiopoietin-2. Retrospective observational data from the University of Chicago indicated an 87% reduction in GI bleeding risk among patients receiving this therapy, prompting calls for prospective randomized controlled trials to validate these findings.

Other names

fish oiln-3 polyunsaturated fatty acidsn3 polyunsaturated fatty acidsn 3 polyunsaturated fatty acidsn3PUFAn-3PUFAn 3PUFAeicosapentaenoic aciddocosahexaenoic acidEPADHA