The Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids on Peripheral Arterial Disease II

The OMEGA-PAD II trial will be a 1:1 randomized, double-blinded trial comparing oral supplementation of n-3 PUFA (4.4g/day) to placebo in claudicants (Rutherford stage 1-3) for 3 months. Eligible patients will be screened according to specified inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients will be treated per our current practice as reflected in the American Heart Association Practice guidelines on PAD. Blood draws, vascular function testing and 6-minute walking tests will be performed at baseline and after 3 months. n-3 PUFA supplementation will be achieved with 4 capsules of Pro-Omega twice daily (Nordic Naturals, Watsonville, California, USA), corresponding to a total of 4.4g/day. Each ProOmega capsule contains 325mg of EPA and 225mg of DHA. The placebo group will take the same number of capsules containing inactive substance (soybean; Nordic Naturals), designed to be the same color and shape as the treatment capsules.