Preoperative use of omega-3 fatty acids or vitamin E

Both omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E are common in food supplements. Omega-3 are polyunsaturated fatty acids present in example given marine oils while vitamin E is a fat soluble antioxidant.

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SBU Enquiry Service

Responds to queries received from Swedish healthcare and social service providers, or governmental organisations. Queries have a limited scope and the process is designed to enable a more rapid response, typically within two to three months. Reports are based on systematic reviews, that are identified through structured searches and critically appraised for risk of bias.

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Question

Can food supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids or vitamin E increase bleeding risk and should therefore be avoided during a period before a surgical intervention?

Identified literature

1. Xin W, Wei W, Lin Z, Zhang X, Yang H, Zhang T, et al. Fish oil and atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PloS one. 2013;8(9):e72913.

2. Begtrup KM, Krag AE, Hvas AM. No impact of fish oil supplements on bleeding risk: a systematic review. Danish medical journal. 2017;64(5).

3. Willner D, Spennati V, Stohl S, Tosti G, Aloisio S, Bilotta F. Spine Surgery and Blood Loss: Systematic Review of Clinical Evidence. Anesthesia and analgesia. 2016;123(5):1307-15.

Project group

Amanda Klein, Sally Saad and Miriam Entesarian Matsson at SBU.

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