Perioperativeω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Nutritional Support in Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgical Patients: A Systematic Evaluation

Immunonutrition, Metabolism, and Programmed Cell Death in Lung Cancer: Translating Bench to Bedside

Lung cancer presents significant therapeutic challenges, motivating the exploration of novel treatment strategies. Programmed cell death (PCD) mechanisms, encompassing apoptosis, autophagy, and programmed necrosis, are pivotal in lung cancer pathogenesis and the treatment response. Dysregulation of these pathways contributes to tumor progression and therapy resistance. Immunonutrition, employing specific nutrients to modulate immune function, and metabolic reprogramming, a hallmark of cancer cells, offer promising avenues for intervention. Nutritional interventions, such as omega-3 fatty acids, exert modulatory effects on PCD pathways in cancer cells, while targeting metabolic pathways implicated in apoptosis regulation represents a compelling therapeutic approach. Clinical evidence supports the role of immunonutritional interventions, including omega-3 fatty acids, in augmenting PCD and enhancing treatment outcomes in patients with lung cancer. Furthermore, synthetic analogs of natural compounds, such as resveratrol, demonstrate promising anticancer properties by modulating apoptotic signaling pathways. This review underscores the convergence of immunonutrition, metabolism, and PCD pathways in lung cancer biology, emphasizing the potential for therapeutic exploration in this complex disease. Further elucidation of the specific molecular mechanisms governing these interactions is imperative for translating these findings into clinical practice and improving lung cancer management.

The efficacy of omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) as a complementary in colorectal cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common malignancy in developed countries. Therefore, omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs) have been suggested as a beneficial complementary treatment due to their ability to regulate inflammatory responses and improve nutrition levels.This study aimed to evaluate the effects of O3FAs as a complementary treatment for inflammation, nutrition levels, post-operative infectious complications, and enhancement of recovery in CRC patients.

METHODS

The literature search was carried out through three databases. The outcomes of interest were assessed by measuring pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α) and CRP levels, serum albumin levels for nutrition assessment, post-operative infectious complications, and length of stay for recovery evaluation. Quality appraisal and meta-analysis were performed using RoB 2.0 and RevMan 5.4, respectively.

RESULTS

The result showed that O3FAs significantly reduced IL-6, CRP, and TNF-α, but did not affect IL-1β. Furthermore, the variable slightly increased serum albumin levels and the supplementation led to a decrease in post-operative infectious complications and shortened hospital stays.

CONCLUSION

O3FAs as a complementary treatment provided advantages for CRC patients, Further clinical trials and experiments should also be made emphasizing the impact and clinical implementation of O3FA in the nutritional status of CRC patients.

Correlation of the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 Score With Post-operative Complications in Gastrointestinal and Hepatopancreatobiliary Oncosurgeries

Introduction The Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) is a reliable tool for assessing patients' nutritional status and for identifying those who may benefit from nutritional support before undergoing surgery. However, its application and correlation with post-operative outcomes for Nepalese patients undergoing gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatobiliary oncosurgeries remain unexplored. The objective of this study was to correlate the NRS 2002's nutritional risk with post-operative complications classified by the Clavien-Dindo Classification. Methods A prospective analytical study was conducted at Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital, with 74 adults who underwent gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatobiliary oncosurgeries between 1st March 2021 and 30th August 2022. The study was conducted following ethical clearance from the Institutional Review Committee of the Hospital. A convenience sampling method was used. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Version 20 (Released 2011; IBM Corp., Armonk, New York, United States). Results Among the 122 patients admitted during the study period, 74 met the inclusion criteria. Using the NRS-2002, 37.8% were found to be at nutritional risk. Such patients had a higher risk of complications and extended hospital stays, supported by an odds ratio of 1.647 (95% confidence interval: 1.223 -2.219) and a p-value of <0.001. Nutritional risk emerged as an independent predictor of post-operative complications. Conclusion The study suggests the potential of NRS-2002 as a significant predictor of outcomes after surgeries for gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatobiliary malignancies in the South Asian context, particularly in Nepal. Tools such as NRS 2002 play a pivotal role in early risk identification, which could subsequently influence both pre-operative and post-operative care strategies, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes.

Parenteral n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation improves postoperative recovery for patients with Crohn's disease after bowel resection: a randomized, unblinded controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

The postoperative inflammatory response is associated with postoperative recovery in surgery. n-3 (ω-3) polyunsaturated fatty acids have been reported to lower inflammation. The postoperative role of parenteral n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation on outcomes in Crohn's disease after bowel resection is unclear.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to investigate the effects of postoperative parenteral n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation in Crohn's disease.

METHODS

A prospective randomized, unblinded controlled clinical trial was conducted for patients with Crohn's disease who underwent bowel resection between May 2019 and February 2022. Postoperative complications, complete blood count, serum biochemical values, and cytokine concentrations were compared in patients with and without parenteral n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation for 5 d postoperatively.

RESULTS

There were 268 patients randomly assigned in the analysis, with 134 in the control group (a mix of long-chain and medium-chain fats at 1.0 g/kg/d) and 134 in the treatment group (long-chain, medium-chain, and n-3 polyunsaturated fats at 1.2 g/kg/d). Twenty-six did not complete the allocated treatment, and 8 patients were lost to follow-up. The intention-to-treat analysis and the per-protocol analysis showed that there were a significant reduction in overall complication rates (22.4% compared with 49.3%; P < 0.001 and 21.8% compared with 38.2%; P = 0.006) and postoperative stay (8.8 ± 4.5 d compared with 11.2 ± 6.8 d; P = 0.001 and 8.7 ± 4.0 d compared with 11.5 ± 7.3 d; P < 0.001) in patients with parenteral n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation compared with patients in the control group. In the secondary outcomes, the mean ± standard deviation of interleukin (IL)-6 (17.11 ± 2.14 pg/mL compared with 30.50 ± 5.14 pg/mL; P = 0.014), IL-1β (2.01 ± 0.05 pg/mL compared with 2.24 ± 0.09 pg/mL; P = 0.019), tumor necrosis factor-α (2.09 ± 0.06 pg/mL compared with 2.29 ± 0.06 pg/mL; P = 0.029), and C-reactive protein concentrations (51.3 ± 4.2 mg/L compared with 64.4 ± 5.3 mg/L; P = 0.050) on postoperative day 5 in the treatment group were much lower than those in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Parenteral n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation promotes postoperative recovery in patients with Crohn's disease following bowel resection, with fewer complications and reduced inflammatory cytokines. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03901937 at https://classic.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov/ct2/show/NCT03901937?term=NCT03901937&cond=Crohn+Disease&draw=2&rank=1.

Monitoring the effect of perioperative nutritional care on body composition and functional status in patients with carcinoma of gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary system and pancreas

BACKGROUND

The significance of nutritional care in the management of cancer, particularly in the surgical treatment of abdominal cancer, is increasingly acknowledged. Body composition analysis, such as the Bioelectric impedance assay (BIA), and functional tests, e.g., handgrip strength, are used when assessing nutritional status alongside general and nutritional history, clinical examination, and laboratory tests. The primary approach in nutritional care is individually adjusted nutritional counselling and the use of medical nutrition, especially oral nutritional supplements. The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of perioperative nutritional care on body composition and functional status in patients with carcinoma of the gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary system, and pancreas.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

47 patients were included, 27 received preoperative and postoperative nutritional counselling and oral nutritional supplements (Group 1), while 20, due to surgical or organisational reasons, received nutritional care only postoperatively (Group 2). The effect of nutritional therapy was measured with bioimpedance body composition and handgrip measurements.

RESULTS

Group 2 had a higher average Nutritional Risk Screening (NRS) 2002 score upon enrolment (3 vs. 2 points); however, there was no difference when malnutrition was assessed using Global Leadership in Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. There was a relative increase in lean body mass and fat-free mass index (FFMI) 7 days after surgery in group 1 (+4,2% vs. -2,1% in group 2). There was no difference in handgrip strength.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results indicate that combined preoperative and postoperative nutritional care is superior to only postoperative nutritional care. It seems to prevent statistically significant lean mass loss 7 days after surgery but not after 14 days or 4 weeks.

Efficacy and safety of Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in adjuvant treatments for colorectal cancer: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks third globally. There are many adverse reactions to treatments such as surgeries and post-surgical chemotherapy, which affect patients' prognosis and reduce their life quality. Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (O3FAs) have become an essential part of immune nutrition due to their anti-inflammatory properties, which improve body immunity and have attracted widespread attention. A systematic review focused on the efficacy and safety of O3FAs for patients undergoing surgeries in combination with chemotherapy or a surgery alone is lacking. Objectives: To evaluate the efficacy of O3FAs in the adjuvant treatment of CRC, a meta-analysis was conducted on patients with CRC who underwent surgeries in combination with chemotherapy or a surgery alone. Methods: As of March 2023, publications have been obtained using search terms from digital databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library. Only randomized clinical trials (RCTs) evaluating the efficacy and safety of O3FAs following adjuvant treatments for CRC were included in the meta-analysis. Key outcomes were tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1beta (IL-1β), albumin, body mass index (BMI), weight, the rate of infectious and non-infectious complications, the length of hospital stay (LOS), CRC mortality and life quality. Results: After screening 1,080 studies, 19 RCTs (n = 1,556) with O3FAs in CRC were included, in all of which at least one efficacy or safety outcome was examined. Compared to the control group, the level of TNF-α (MD = -0.79, 95% CI: 1.51 to -0.07, p = 0.03) and IL-6 was reduced due to O3FA-enriched nutrition during the perioperative period (MD = -4.70, 95% CI: 6.59 to -2.80, p < 0.00001). It also reduces LOS (MD = 9.36, 95% CI: 2.16 to 16.57, p = 0.01). No significant differences were found in CRP, IL-1β, albumin, BMI, weight, the rate of infectious and non-infectious complications, CRC mortality or life quality. The inflammatory status of patients with CRC undergoing adjuvant therapies decreased after a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) O3FA supplementation (TNF-α, MD = -1.26, 95% CI: 2.25 to -0.27, p = 0.01, I ² = 4%, n = 183 participants). The rate of infectious and non-infectious complications was reduced among patients with CRC undergoing adjuvant therapies after a parenteral nutrition (PN) O3FA supplementation (RR = 3.73, 95% CI: 1.52 to 9.17, p = 0.004, I ² = 0%, n = 76 participants). Conclusion: Our observations suggest that supplementation with O3FAs has little or no effect on patients with CRC undergoing adjuvant therapies and that a prolonged inflammatory state may be modified. To validate these findings, well-designed, large-scale, randomized and controlled studies on homogeneous patient populations are expected.

Associations between omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids supplementation and surgical prognosis in patients with gastrointestinal cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background

Surgical resection remains the primary treatment for gastrointestinal (GI) cancer, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have been reported to improve the prognosis of patients undergoing gastrointestinal tumor surgery. This meta-analysis aims to explore the efficacy of n-3 PUFAs on GI cancer patients undergoing surgery.

Methods

A systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library databases, EMBASE (until December 2021) was conducted. PRISMA checklist was followed. The data were analyzed by RevMan v5.3.0.

Results

A total of ten RCTs articles including 663 patients were studied. The analysis demonstrated that the n-3 PUFAs group significantly reduced levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) (P = 0.001), C-reactive protein (CRP) (P < 0.00001), tumor necrosis factor-ɑ (TNF-α) (P = 0.0003) compared with the control group. and higher levels of CD4⁺T cells (P = 0.03), CD8⁺T cells (P = 0.02) and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ratio (P = 0.03) compared with the control group. but there was no significant difference in infection complications rate (P = 0.50) and the level of prealbumin (P = 0.80), albumin (P = 0.21), retinol-binding protein(P = 0.80) between the two groups. In addition, the n-3 PUFAs group significantly reduced the length of hospital stay (P = 0.007).

Conclusion

Our meta-analysis shows that n-3 PUFAs can effectively improve the immune function of patients undergoing gastrointestinal cancer surgery, reduce inflammatory response and reduce the length of hospital stay, But it has no significant impact on the incidence of infectious-related complications and the level of nutrient protein.

Perioperative Nutritional Support: A Review of Current Literature

Since the beginning of the practice of surgery, the reduction of postoperative complications and early recovery have been two of the fundamental pillars that have driven the improvement of surgical techniques and perioperative management. Despite great advances in these fields, the rationalization of antibiotic prophylaxis, and other important innovations, postoperative recovery (especially in elderly patients, oncological pathology or digestive or head and neck surgery) is tortuous. This can be explained by several reasons, among which, malnutrition has a major role. Perioperative nutritional support, included within the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocol, has proven to be a main element and a critical step to achieve better surgical results. Starting with the preoperative nutritional assessment and treatment in elective surgery, we can improve nutritional status using oral supplements and immunomodulatory formulas. If we add early nutritional support in the postoperative scenario, we are able to significantly reduce infectious complications, need for intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, costs, and mortality. Throughout this review, we will review the latest developments and the available literature.

Efficacy of ω-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Patients with Lung Cancer Undergoing Radiotherapy and Chemotherapy: A Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy in patients with lung cancer can lead to a series of problems such as malnutrition and inflammatory reaction. Some studies have shown that ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) could improve malnutrition and regulate inflammatory reaction in these patients, but no relevant meta-analysis exists.

METHODS

We systematically searched randomized controlled trials of ω-3 PUFAs in the adjuvant treatment of lung cancer in the PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database (CBM), China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Wanfang databases. Relevant outcomes were extracted, and we pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) using a random or fixed-effects model. The risk of bias was evaluated according to the Cochrane Handbook (version 15.1). The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE).

RESULTS

A total of 7 studies were included. The SMDs (95% CI) of body weight change, albumin change, energy intake, and protein intake at the end of intervention were 1.15 (0.50, 1.80), 0.60 (0.11, 1.09), 0.39 (-0.10, 0.89), and 0.27 (-0.04, 0.58), respectively. The SMDs (95% CI) of CRP change and TNF-α change were -3.44 (-6.15, -0.73) and -1.63 (-2.53, -0.73), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

ω-3 PUFAs can improve nutritional status and regulate indicators of inflammation in patients with lung cancer undergoing radiotherapy and chemotherapy. This study was registered in the PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42022307699).

Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Can Reduce C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Cancer: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

ABSTRACTSOmega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) possess anti-inflammatory properties. There is a lack of consensus regarding the effects of omega-3 PUFAs on C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of systemic inflammation, in cancer patients. Herein, a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was conducted to evaluate the effects of omega-3 PUFAs on CRP levels in patients with cancer. PubMed and EMBASE were searched until May 2020 to identify randomized controlled trials that examined the effects of omega-3 PUFA administration on CRP levels in cancer patients. Standardized mean differences (SMDs) with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to determine the differences in omega-3 PUFA administration and control conditions. Seventeen eligible studies involving 916 cancer patients were included in this meta-analysis. Significant heterogeneity was present among individual studies (P_{heterogeneity} = 0.000; I² = 74.5%). The overall SMDs of CRP levels between omega-3 PUFA administration and control conditions were 0.628 (95% CI: 0.342-0.914) and 0.456 (95% CI: 0.322-0.590) by the random-effect and fixed-effect models, respectively. Sources of heterogeneity were not found through subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Existing publication bias contributed slightly to the effect size. Omega-3 PUFAs can reduce systemic inflammation, as indicated by CRP levels in cancer patients. The use of omega-3 PUFAs is recommended for cancer patients due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

The Addition of ω-3 Fish Oil Fat Emulsion to Parenteral Nutrition Reduces Short-Term Complications after Laparoscopic Surgery for Gastric Cancer

The incidence of short-term complications after laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer is higher. Whether ω-3 fish oil fat emulsion can reduce short-term complications of gastric cancer after laparoscopic surgery is controversial. The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of ω-3 fish oil fat emulsion on postoperative recovery of patients with gastric cancer after laparoscopic surgery. A total of 111 patients were included in this study. These patients were given parenteral nutrition for 5 day or more after surgery. We used univariate analysis and multivariate analysis to determine whether ω-3 fish oil fat emulsion could affect the incidence of short-term complications after gastric cancer laparoscopic surgery. The incidence of postoperative short-term complications in patients with parenteral nutrition supplemented with ω-3 fish oil fat emulsion was significantly lower than that in patients without ω-3 fish oil fat emulsion (12/51 VS 26/60, P = 0.027). ω-3 fish oil fat emulsion is an independent risk factor for short-term postoperative complications in patients with gastric cancer (OR = 0.393, CI:0.155-0.996, P = 0.049). In conclusion, the addition of ω-3 fish oil fat emulsion to parenteral nutrition after operation can effectively reduce the incidence of short-term complications in patients with gastric cancer after laparoscopic surgery.

The Effect of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Supplementations on anti-Tumor Drugs in Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) comprises about 10-20% of all diagnosed breast cancers. Increasing evidence shows that the omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3PUFAs), docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, can influence the development, progression, and prognosis of TNBC In Vivo and In Vitro; however, clinical evidence supporting the effect of ω-3PUFAs on TNBC is lacking. Research has demonstrated that ω-3PUFAs can induce apoptosis in breast cancer cells by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT signal transduction pathway, and that ω-3PUFAs can improve the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs. Using ω-3PUFA supplementation in addition to pharmacotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer may result in enhanced anti-tumor effects that will be particularly applicable to difficult to treat phenotypes such as TNBC. The aim of the current review was to summarize the evidence-base supporting the antitumor effects of omega-3 PUFAs in TNBC.

Nutritional risk screening score is associated with omission of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to evaluate the association between nutritional risk screening (NRS) score and administration of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer.

METHODS

A total of 404 patients with stage III colon cancer who underwent curative resection between January 2012 and December 2015 were included. Patients with a preoperative high nutritional risk score (NRS ≥4) were compared with those with an NRS <4. Predictive factors for omission of adjuvant chemotherapy, and prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

RESULTS

Eighty (19.8%) patients had a high nutritional risk (NRS ≥4). An NRS score ≥4 was associated with higher risk of omission of adjuvant chemotherapy (26.3% vs. 13.6%, p = 0.006), which was significant after adjusting for covariables (odds ratio = 1.862, p = 0.047). Multivariable survival analysis showed that omission of adjuvant chemotherapy was an independent poor prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio = 4.060, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

An NRS score ≥4 was associated with omission of adjuvant chemotherapy in stage III colon cancer, which resulted in poor OS.

Addition of docosahexaenoic acid synergistically enhances the efficacy of apatinib for triple-negative breast cancer therapy

The current study aimed to investigate the antitumor and antiangiogenesis effects of apatinib in triple-negative breast cancer in vitro and also whether the combination of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and apatinib is more effective than apatinib monotherapy. The cell counting kit-8 assay was used to measure cell proliferation. Flow cytometry was utilized to determine the cell apoptosis rate. A wound healing assay was utilized to assess cell migration. Western blot analysis was carried out to determine the effects of apatinib and DHA on Bcl-2, BAX, cleaved caspase-3, caspase-3, phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), and Akt expression. DHA in combination with apatinib showed enhanced inhibitory effects on cell proliferation and migration compared with apatinib or DHA monotherapy. Meanwhile, DHA combined with apatinib strongly increased the cell apoptosis percentage. DHA was observed to enhance the antitumor and antiangiogenesis effects of apatinib via further downregulation of p-Akt expression.Abbreviations: FITC: fluorescein isothiocyanate; PI: propidium iodide.

Effects of enteral nutritional rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the nutritional status of gastrointestinal cancer patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Postoperative malnutrition is a major issue among gastrointestinal cancer patients. Because n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFAs) have immunological benefits, n-3 PUFAs are widely used in oral nutritional supplements (ONS). However, n-3 PUFAs in ONS reduced patients' compliance with ONS and affected the role of ONS in maintaining the postoperative nutritional status of patients. The aim of this study was to systematically explore the benefits of enteral nutrition rich in n-3 PUFAs in maintaining the nutritional status of patients after gastrointestinal surgery. Databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and VIP databases were searched through March 16, 2019. The references of related reviews and studies were assessed up to March 16, 2019. The effect sizes from individual studies were calculated as the standardized mean difference (SMD), mean difference (MD), and risk ratio (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). A total of 11 studies (n = 977) were included. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we observed that enteral supplementation of n-3 PUFAs had no significant effect on weight (MD, 1.09; 95% CI, -0.90, 3.08), body mass index (MD, 0.55; 95% CI, -1.45, 2.54), albumin (SMD, 0.39; 95% CI, -0.10, 0.87), wound infections (RR, 0.87, 95% CI, 0.57, 1.33), or pneumonia (RR, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.60, 1.59) in gastrointestinal cancer patients. Thus, compared with enteral nutritional without n-3 PUFAs, enteral nutritional rich in n-3 PUFAs has no significant effects on nutritional status, incidence of pneumonia, or wound infections among gastrointestinal cancer patients during postoperative convalescence.

Preoperative carbohydrate load and intraoperatively infused omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids positively impact nosocomial morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting: a double-blind controlled randomized trial

Background

A strategy of limited preoperative fasting, with carbohydrate (CHO) loading and intraoperative infusion of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA), has seldom been tried in cardiovascular surgery. Brief fasting, followed by CHO intake 2 h before anesthesia, may improve recovery from CABG procedures and lower perioperative vasoactive drug requirements. Infusion of ω-3 PUFA may reduce occurrences of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) and shorten hospital stays. The aim of this study was to assess morbidity (especially POAF) in ICU patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)/cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in combination, if preoperative fasts are curtailed in favor of CHO loading, and ω-3 PUFA are infused intraoperatively.

Methods

Fifty-seven patients undergoing CABG were randomly assigned to receive 12.5% maltodextrin (200 ml, 2 h before anesthesia), without infusing ω-3 PUFA (CHO, n = 14); water (200 ml, 2 h before anesthesia), without infusing ω-3 PUFA (controls, n = 14); 12.5% maltodextrin (200 ml, 2 h before anesthesia) plus intraoperative ω-3 PUFA (0.2 mcg/kg) (CHO + W3, n = 15); or water (200 ml, 2 h before anesthesia) plus intraoperative ω-3 PUFA (0.2 mcg/kg) (W3, n = 14). Perioperative clinical variables and mortality were analyzed, examining the incidence of POAF, as well as the need for inotropic vasoactive drugs during surgery and in ICU.

Results

Two deaths occurred (3.5%), but there were no instances of bronchoaspiration and mediastinitis. Neither ICU stays nor total postoperative stays differed by group (P > 0.05). Patients given preoperative CHO loads (CHO and CHO + W3 groups) experienced fewer instances of hospital infection (RR = 0.29, 95%CI 0.09–0.94; P = 0.023) and were less reliant on vasoactive amines during surgery (RR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.38–0.94; P = 0.020). Similarly, the number of patients requiring vasoactive drugs while recovering in ICU differed significantly by group (P = 0.008), showing benefits in patients given CHO loads. The overall incidence of POAF was 29.8% (17/57), differing significantly by group (P = 0.009). Groups given ω-3 PUFA (W3 and CHO + W3 groups) experienced significantly fewer instances of POAF (RR = 4.83, 95% CI 1.56–15.02; P = 0.001).

Conclusion

Preoperative curtailment of fasting was safe in this cohort. When implemented in conjunction with CHO loading and infusion of ω-3 PUFA during surgery, expedited recovery from CABG with CPB was observed.

Trial registration

NCT: 03017001