Omega-3 Fatty Acid Administration in Dialysis Patients

Inclusion Criteria:

- Patients on CHD for more than 6 months;

- Ability to read and sign the consent form;

- Have acceptable dialysis adequacy (Kt/V > 1.2);

- Use biocompatible hemodialysis membrane;

- Have a patent, well functioning, arteriovenous dialysis access or permanent dialysis
catheter (no other option for arteriovenous access);

- Signs of chronic inflammation (average CRP of ≥ 5 mg/L for 3 consecutive
measurements)

Exclusion Criteria:

- Pregnancy;

- Intolerance to the study medication;

- Severe, unstable, active, or chronic inflammatory disease (active infection, active
connective tissue disorder, active cancer, HIV, liver disease);

- Diabetes mellitus on insulin therapy;

- Hospitalization within 1 month prior to the study;

- Malfunctioning arterial-venous vascular access (recirculation and/or blood flow < 500
ml/min);

- Patients receiving steroids (> 5 mg/day) and/or other immunosuppressive agents;

- Life-expectancy less than 6 months;

- Age less than 18 years old;

- Atrial fibrillation (only for those undergoing the optional Pulse Wave Velocity);

- Hypersensitivity to organic nitrates, isosorbide, or nitroglycerin (only for those
undergoing the optional brachial artery Doppler).