Effects of fish oil emulsion on critically ill septic patients

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  Randomised controlled trial of the effects of parenteral fish oil emulsion upon survival outcome of critically ill patients with sepsis in the intensive care unit

• IRAS ID

  27812

• Contact name

  Ashley Dennison

• Sponsor organisation

  Trust Headquarters, Gwendolen House

• Eudract number

  2009-016880-13

• ISRCTN Number

  N/A

• Research summary

  Studies on animals and human cell lines described the effect of omega-3 from oily fish on inflammation. They showed that supplementing cells with omega-3 resulted in controlling the severe inflammation and improving the outcome. This research will look at the effects of supplementing critically ill septic patients with fish oil in the intensive care setting. It involves supplying fish oil as emulsion intravenously for septic patients who are admitted into intensive care unit in Leicester General Hospital. The patients with sepsis admitted into intensive care unit will be prospectively randomised in a blind fashion and divided into either a test group who will receive (Lipidem-which contains omega 3) or a control group (which receive (Lipofundin- nutritional lipid with no omega 3 supplement). The usual clinical care will continue as normal and will not be affected or altered. Each patient will receive the emulsion daily untill they are discharged from the intensive care unit. The aim is to determine whether there is an improvement in the outcome in this group of ill patients some of whom have significant mortality. If a significant improvement is indicated by a reduced mortality or reduced hospital stay it will be a significant advance in the care of these patients and would have an enormous impact on future clinical practice.

• REC name

  London - South East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  09/H1102/111

• Date of REC Opinion

  23 Nov 2009

• REC opinion

  Favourable Opinion