Effects of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on vascular access thrombosis in polytetrafluorethylene grafts

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of orally administered over-the-counter omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid supplements on primary patency of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) grafts. Design: This study was conducted with a triple-blind, permuted-block, randomized, placebo-controlled experimental design. Setting: Dialysis clinics with patients who, in accordance with physician diagnosis, needed a new PTFE graft. Patients and Other Participants: Patients on long-term hemodialysis with newly placed PTFE grafts who were unable to receive a native arteriovenous fistula. Intervention: Patients were followed prospectively for 8 months after they had been placed into an n-3 fatty acid or control group and were monitored for primary patency. Main Outcome Variable: Primary patency of the PTFE graft. Results: The n-3 fatty acid group had a mean PTFE graft primary patency rate of 254.2 days (SEM = 51.8), and the control group had a mean PTFE graft primary patency rate of 254.1 days (SEM = 34.6), revealing no significant difference in survival time between groups. Conclusions: No significant differences in primary patency rates were noted in the experimental and control groups. (C) 2007 by the National Kidney Foundation, Inc.