No link between red blood cell omega-3 fatty acid index and serious or mild to moderate bleeding
MONDAY, Dec. 19 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), there is no association between the omega-3 fatty acid index (red blood cell eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid) and bleeding, according to a study published in the Jan. 1 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.
Adam C. Salisbury, M.D., from Saint Luke's Mid America Heart and Vascular Institute in Kansas City, Mo., and colleagues investigated the correlation between omega-3 index at the time of AMI and bleeding in 1,523 patients from 24 U.S. centers. The omega-3 indices of patients were classified as low (<4 percent), intermediate (4 to 8 percent), and high (>8 percent). The rates of serious bleeding (Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction [TIMI] major and minor bleeding) and mild to moderate bleeding (TIMI minimal bleeding) were assessed for each category.
The investigators found that there were no differences seen for bleeding in the omega-3 index categories. After adjusting for multiple variables, there was no association seen between the omega-3 index and either serious or mild to moderate bleeding (relative risk [RR] for serious bleeding, 1.02; 95 percent confidence interval [CI], 0.90 to 1.19 and RR for mild to moderate bleeding, 1.02; 95 percent CI, 0.85 to 1.23).
"The absence of any relation
between the omega-3 index and bleeding at the time of AMI
(when patients are at high risk for bleeding because of the
use of potent antithrombotic medications and invasive management)
suggests that there is little reason for concern about excessive bleeding in patients who take fish oil supplements
concurrent with modern medical therapy for AMI," the authors write.
Two authors disclosed financial ties to pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies which have interests in omega-3 fatty acids. One author disclosed financial ties to CardioTabs, which manufacturers omega-3 products.
Abstract
Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)