Citation

Gross BW, Gillio M, Rinehart CD, Lynch CA, Rogers FB. J. Trauma Nurs. 2017; 24(1): 15-18.

Affiliation

Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, Society of Trauma Nurses)

DOI

10.1097/JTN.0000000000000256

PMID

28033135

Abstract

Polyunsaturated fatty acids such as omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid and omega-6 docosahexaenoic acid, found in over-the-counter fish oil supplements, are often consumed for their beneficial, prophylactic, anti-inflammatory effects. Although the mechanisms of action are not fully known, a diet rich in polyunsaturated fats may reduce the risk of hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, high low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, hypertension, and inflammatory diseases. Masked by its many benefits, the risks of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation are often underappreciated, particularly its ability to inhibit platelet aggregation and promote bleeding in patients taking anticoagulant medications. The following details the clinical case of an elderly patient taking warfarin and fish oil supplementation whose warfarin-induced coagulopathy could not be reversed after suffering blunt head trauma.

Language: en