A daily fish oil supplement may significantly reduce the risk of severe cardiovascular issues in individuals undergoing dialysis due to kidney failure. This insight emerged from a comprehensive international clinical trial, spearheaded in Australia by Monash Health and the School of Clinical Sciences at Monash University.
The study, known as the PISCES trial, involved 1,228 participants receiving dialysis treatment across 26 sites in Australia and Canada. The findings were presented at the American Society of Nephrology Kidney Week 2025 and were published in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Major Clinical Trial Reveals 43% Decrease in Serious Heart Events
Participants who consumed four grams of fish oil daily experienced a significant reduction in major cardiovascular events compared to those who received a placebo. The supplement was rich in omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, which are naturally occurring in fish oil.
Overall, the fish oil group demonstrated a 43% lower incidence of serious cardiovascular events, which included heart attacks, strokes, cardiac deaths, and vascular-related amputations.
Adjunct Professor Kevan Polkinghorne, a nephrologist at Monash Health and an adjunct in the School of Clinical Sciences, led the Australian segment of the trial.
“Patients on dialysis face exceptionally high cardiovascular risks, and there are very few therapies that can mitigate this risk,” Professor Polkinghorne stated. “In a field where many trials have yielded negative results, this finding is particularly noteworthy.”
“Patients undergoing dialysis tend to have significantly lower levels of EPA and DHA compared to the general population. This may explain the remarkable benefits observed within this group.”
Findings Are Specific to Hemodialysis Patients
Professor Polkinghorne stressed that these results specifically pertain to individuals undergoing hemodialysis for kidney failure. He cautioned against generalizing these findings to healthy individuals or other patient groups.
The Australian section of the study received support from the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), with trial coordination managed by the Australasian Kidney Trials Network (AKTN). Approximately 200 participants from Australia were involved in the study, including 44 treated at Monash Health.
The international leadership of the PISCES trial was provided by Professor Charmaine Lok and her colleagues at the University Health Network in Toronto and the University of Calgary.
In conclusion, this pivotal study highlights the potential of fish oil supplements in improving cardiovascular health for dialysis patients, presenting a hopeful avenue for reducing their heightened risks. Further exploration in this area could lead to more effective treatments for individuals facing kidney failure.
