Supplemental parenteral nutrition versus usual care in critically ill adults: a pilot randomized controlled study.

BACKGROUND: In the critically ill, energy delivery from enteral nutrition (EN) is often less than the estimated energy requirement. Parenteral nutrition (PN) as a supplement to EN may increase energy delivery. We aimed to determine if an individually titrated supplemental PN strategy commenced 48-72 hours following ICU admission and continued for up to 7 days would increase energy delivery to critically ill adults compared to usual care EN delivery. METHODS: This study was a prospective, parallel group, phase II pilot trial conducted in six intensive care units in Australia and New Zealand. Mechanically ventilated adults with at least one organ failure and EN delivery below 80% of estimated energy requirement in the previous 24 hours received either a supplemental PN strategy (intervention group) or usual care EN delivery. EN in the usual care group could be supplemented with PN if EN remained insufficient after usual methods to optimise delivery were attempted. RESULTS: There were 100 patients included in the study and 99 analysed. Overall, 71% of the study population were male, with a mean (SD) age of 59 (17) years, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score of 18.2 (6.7) and body mass index of 29.6 (5.8) kg/m2. Significantly greater energy (mean (SD) 1712 (511) calories vs. 1130 (601) calories, p < 0.0001) and proportion of estimated energy requirement (mean (SD) 83 (25) % vs. 53 (29) %, p < 0.0001) from EN and/or PN was delivered to the intervention group compared to usual care. Delivery of protein and proportion of estimated protein requirements were also greater in the intervention group (mean (SD) 86 (25) g, 86 (23) %) compared to usual care (mean (SD) 53 (29) g, 51 (25) %, p < 0.0001). Antibiotic use, ICU and hospital length of stay, mortality and functional outcomes were similar between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: This individually titrated supplemental PN strategy applied over 7 days significantly increased energy delivery when compared to usual care delivery. Clinical and functional outcomes were similar between the two patient groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial registry details: NCT01847534 (First registered 22 April 2013, last updated 31 July 2016).

Perioperative immunonutrition in patients undergoing liver transplantation: a randomized double-blind trial.

UNLABELLED: Preliminary work suggested that perioperative immunonutrition (IMN) enriched in n-3 fatty acids, arginine, and nucleotides may improve preoperative nutritional status, enhance postoperative recovery, and reduce postoperative infectious complications in patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT). The current study examined these outcomes in a double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Patients wait-listed for LT (n = 120) were randomized to either supplemental (0.6 L/d) oral IMN or an isocaloric control (CON). Enteral IMN or CON was resumed postoperatively and continued for at least 5 days. The change in total body protein (TBP) measured by neutron activation from study entry until immediately prior to LT was the primary endpoint and TBP measurements were repeated 10, 30, 90, 180, and 360 days after LT. Infectious complications were recorded for the first 30 postoperative days. Nineteen patients died or were delisted prior to LT. Fifty-two IMN and 49 CON patients received supplemental nutrition for a median (range) 56 (0-480) and 65 (0-348) days, respectively. Preoperative changes in TBP were not significant (IMN: 0.06 ± 0.15 [SEM]; CON: 0.12 ± 0.10 kg). Compared to baseline, a 0.7 ± 0.2 kg loss of TBP was seen in both groups at 30 days after LT (P < 0.0001) and, at 360 days, TBP had not increased significantly (IMN: 0.08 ± 0.19 kg; CON: 0.26 ± 0.23 kg). Infectious complications occurred in 31 (60%) IMN and 28 (57%) CON patients (P = 0.84). The median (range) postoperative hospital stay was 10 (5-105) days for IMN and 10 (6-27) days for CON patients (P = 0.68). CONCLUSION: In patients undergoing LT, perioperative IMN did not provide significant benefits in terms of preoperative nutritional status or postoperative outcome.

ESPEN practical guideline: Clinical nutrition in chronic intestinal failure.

BACKGROUND: This practical guideline is based on the ESPEN Guidelines on Chronic Intestinal Failure in Adults. METHODOLOGY: ESPEN guidelines have been shortened and transformed into flow charts for easier use in clinical practice. The practical guideline is dedicated to all professionals including physicians, dieticians, nutritionists, and nurses working with patients with chronic intestinal failure. RESULTS: This practical guideline consists of 112 recommendations with short commentaries for the management and treatment of benign chronic intestinal failure, including home parenteral nutrition and its complications, intestinal rehabilitation, and intestinal transplantation. CONCLUSION: This practical guideline gives guidance to health care providers involved in the management of patients with chronic intestinal failure.

Home parenteral nutrition provision modalities for chronic intestinal failure in adult patients: An international survey.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The safety and effectiveness of a home parenteral nutrition (HPN) program depends both on the expertise and the management approach of the HPN center. We aimed to evaluate both the approaches of different international HPN-centers in their provision of HPN and the types of intravenous supplementation (IVS)-admixtures prescribed to patients with chronic intestinal failure (CIF). METHODS: In March 2015, 65 centers from 22 countries enrolled 3239 patients (benign disease 90.1%, malignant disease 9.9%), recording the patient, CIF and HPN characteristics in a structured database. The HPN-provider was categorized as health care system local pharmacy (LP) or independent home care company (HCC). The IVS-admixture was categorized as fluids and electrolytes alone (FE) or parenteral nutrition, either commercially premixed (PA) or customized to the individual patient (CA), alone or plus extra FE (PAFE or CAFE). Doctors of HPN centers were responsible for the IVS prescriptions. RESULTS: HCC (66%) was the most common HPN provider, with no difference noted between benign-CIF and malignant-CIF. LP was the main modality in 11 countries; HCC prevailed in 4 European countries: Israel, USA, South America and Oceania (p < 0.001). IVS-admixture comprised: FE 10%, PA 17%, PAFE 17%, CA 38%, CAFE 18%. PA and PAFE prevailed in malignant-CIF while CA and CAFE use was greater in benign-CIF (p < 0.001). PA + PAFE prevailed in those countries where LP was the main HPN-provider and CA + CAFE prevailed where the main HPN-provider was HCC (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first study to demonstrate that HPN provision and the IVS-admixture differ greatly among countries, among HPN centers and between benign-CIF and cancer-CIF. As both HPN provider and IVS-admixture types may play a role in the safety and effectiveness of HPN therapy, criteria to homogenize HPN programs are needed so that patients can have equal access to optimal CIF care.

Nocturnal nutritional supplementation improves total body protein status of patients with liver cirrhosis: a randomized 12-month trial.

UNLABELLED: Patients with liver cirrhosis exhibit early onset of gluconeogenesis after short-term fasting. This accelerated metabolic reaction to starvation may underlie their increased protein requirements and muscle depletion. A randomized controlled trial was conducted to test the hypothesis that provision of a late-evening nutritional supplement over a 12-month period would improve body protein stores in patients with cirrhosis. A total of 103 patients (68 male, 35 female; median age 51, range 28-74; Child-Pugh grading: 52A, 31B, 20C) were randomized to receive either daytime (between 0900 and 1900 hours) or nighttime (between 2100 and 0700 hours) supplementary nutrition (710 kcal/day). Primary etiology of liver disease was chronic viral hepatitis (67), alcohol (15), cholestatic (6), and other (15). Total body protein (TBP) was measured by neutron activation analysis at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Total daily energy and protein intakes were assessed at baseline and at 3 months by comprehensive dietary recall. As a percentage of values predicted when well, TBP at baseline was similar for the daytime (85 +/- 2[standard error of the mean]%) and nighttime (84 +/- 2%) groups. For the nighttime group, significant increases in TBP were measured at 3 (0.38 +/- 0.10 kg, P = 0.0004), 6 (0.48 +/- 0.13 kg, P = 0.0007), and 12 months (0.53 +/- 0.17 kg, P = 0.003) compared to baseline. For the daytime group, no significant changes in TBP were seen. Daily energy and protein intakes at 3 months were higher than at baseline in both groups (P < 0.0001), and these changes did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: Provision of a nighttime feed to patients with cirrhosis results in body protein accretion equivalent to about 2 kg of lean tissue sustained over 12 months. This improved nutritional status may have important implications for the clinical course of these patients.

Preoperative immunonutrition in patients undergoing liver resection: A prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Preoperative supplementation with immunonutrients, including arginine and n-3 fatty acids, has been shown in a number of systematic reviews to reduce infectious complications in patients who have undergone gastrointestinal surgery. Limited information, however, is available on the benefits of nutritional supplementation enriched with arginine and n-3 fatty acids in patients undergoing liver resection. AIM: To evaluate the effects of preoperative nutritional supplementation enriched with arginine and n-3 fatty acids on inflammatory and immunologic markers and clinical outcome in patients undergoing liver resection. METHODS: Thirty-four patients undergoing liver resection were randomized to either five days of preoperative Impact® [1020 kcal/d, immunonutrition (IMN) group], or standard care [no supplementation, standard care (STD) group]. Nutritional status was measured at study entry by subjective global assessment (SGA). Functional assessments (grip strength, fatigue and performance status) were carried out at study entry, on the day prior to surgery, and on postoperative day (POD) 7 and 30. Inflammatory and immune markers were measured at study entry, on the day prior to surgery, and POD 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 30. Postoperative complications were recorded prospectively until POD30. RESULTS: A total of 32 patients (17 IMN and 15 STD) were analysed. All except four patients were SGA class A. The plasma ratio of (eicosapentaenoic acid plus docosahexaenoic acid) to arachidonic acid was higher in IMN patients on the day prior to surgery and POD 1, 3, 5 and 7 (P < 0.05). Plasma interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations were elevated in the IMN group (P = 0.017 for POD7). No treatment effect was detected for functional measures, immune response (white cell count and total lymphocytes) or markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor-α, IL-8, IL-10). There were 10 patients with infectious complications in the IMN group and 4 in the STD group (P = 0.087). Median hospital stay was 9 (range 4-49) d in the IMN group and 8 (3-34) d in the STD group (P = 0.476). CONCLUSION: In well-nourished patients undergoing elective liver resection, this study failed to show any benefit of preoperative immunonutrition.

An international study of the quality of life of adult patients treated with home parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Home parenteral nutrition-quality of life (HPN-QOL©) is a self-assessment tool for the measurement of QOL in patients on HPN. The aims of this study were: to re-assess the basic psychometric properties of the HPN-QOL© in a multinational sample of adult patients; to provide a description of QOL dimensions by short and long HPN treatment duration; to explore clinical factors potentially associated to QOL scores. METHODS: Patients (n = 699) from 14 countries completed the HPN-QOL©. The questionnaires were analysed to evaluate data completeness, convergent/discriminant validity and internal-consistency reliability. The association of overall QOL and HPN treatment duration as well as other clinical factors were investigated using multivariable linear regression models. RESULTS: The analysis of the multitrait-scaling and internal consistency indicates a good fit with the questionnaire structure for most items. Item discriminant validity correlation was satisfactory and psychometric evaluation of the HPN-QOL© in the different English, French and Italian language patient sub-groups confirmed psychometric equivalence of the three questionnaire versions. The results of the multivariable linear regression showed that QOL scores were significantly associated with HPN duration (better in long-term), underlying disease (better in Crohn's disease and mesenteric ischaemia) and living status (worse in living alone) and, after adjusting for the other factors, with the number of days of HPN infusion per week. CONCLUSIONS: The HPN-QOL©, is a valid tool for measurement of QOL in patients on HPN, to be used in the clinical practice as well as in research.

AuSPEN clinical practice guideline for home parenteral nutrition patients in Australia and New Zealand.

OBJECTIVE: Evidence based guidelines for home parenteral nutrition (HPN) were commissioned by the Australasian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (AuSPEN) and developed by a multidisciplinary group. The guidelines make recommendations in four domains: patient selection, patient training, formulation and monitoring regimens, and preventing and managing complications. METHODS: The Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation guideline process was used to focus questions and identify evidence by systematic literature reviews of meta-analyses and randomized control trials in the Cochrane Library, Medline, Embase, and Cinahl to mid-2007. Where no randomized control trial evidence was found, the search was broadened to observational studies and expert opinion from related national and international guidelines as assessed by a validated appraisal process. RESULTS: Selection of patients must assess individual risk/benefit and medical ethics. Patient training should be undertaken within a structured framework. Access devices should be selected for lowest risk of complications, including occlusion, sepsis, and breakage and be managed by early diagnosis and treatment. HPN should be formulated according to individual patient requirements by professionals with relevant skills and training. Pumps and ancillary products should conform to quality standards. Other intravenous medications may be prescribed provided these are reviewed for compatibility and effects on metabolic status. CONCLUSION: Overall there is a lack of randomized control trials to provide high-quality evidence-based guidance but graded recommendations can be made. Multidisciplinary teams in centers with HPN management expertise are required for optimal care. This guideline should improve outcomes and quality of life for HPN patients in Australia and New Zealand.

Dietary copper restriction in Wilson's disease.

Dietary copper restriction has long been considered an important aspect of treatment for Wilson's disease (WD). However, evidence supporting this approach is limited. There are no published randomised controlled trials examining this recommendation due to rarity of the disease and variable presentation. This review summarises current knowledge on the absorption and regulation of copper in humans and its relevance to patients with WD. Studies have demonstrated that as the level of dietary copper increases, the proportion absorbed decreases. This observation implies that 'high copper' foods that WD patients are generally advised to avoid would need to be consumed in large amounts to impact markedly on the quantity absorbed. Dietary copper restriction is unlikely to reduce the amount absorbed significantly and is not only difficult to manage but restricts food groups unnecessarily, detracting from the provision of substrates essential for improving nutritional status in a nutritionally compromised group. Medical management for WD is effective in compliant patients, allowing stabilisation of the liver disease. Based on current evidence, dietary copper restrictions in stable WD patients who are adherent to medical therapy are unnecessary with two food exceptions (shellfish and liver).

Clinical classification of adult patients with chronic intestinal failure due to benign disease: An international multicenter cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the applicability of the ESPEN 16-category clinical classification of chronic intestinal failure, based on patients' intravenous supplementation (IVS) requirements for energy and fluids, and to evaluate factors associated with those requirements. METHODS: ESPEN members were invited to participate through ESPEN Council representatives. Participating centers enrolled adult patients requiring home parenteral nutrition for chronic intestinal failure on March 1st 2015. The following patient data were recorded though a structured database: sex, age, body weight and height, intestinal failure mechanism, underlying disease, IVS volume and energy need. RESULTS: Sixty-five centers from 22 countries enrolled 2919 patients with benign disease. One half of the patients were distributed in 3 categories of the ESPEN clinical classification. 9% of patients required only fluid and electrolyte supplementation. IVS requirement varied considerably according to the pathophysiological mechanism of intestinal failure. Notably, IVS volume requirement represented loss of intestinal function better than IVS energy requirement. A simplified 8 category classification of chronic intestinal failure was devised, based on two types of IVS (either fluid and electrolyte alone or parenteral nutrition admixture containing energy) and four categories of volume. CONCLUSIONS: Patients' IVS requirements varied widely, supporting the need for a tool to homogenize patient categorization. This study has devised a novel, simplified eight category IVS classification for chronic intestinal failure that will prove useful in both the clinical and research setting when applied together with the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of the patient's intestinal failure.

Body composition, muscle function, and energy expenditure in patients with liver cirrhosis: a comprehensive study.

BACKGROUND: Data describing the nutritional status of patients with liver cirrhosis of diverse origin, as assessed by direct body-composition methods, are limited. OBJECTIVE: We sought to provide a comprehensive assessment of nutritional status and metabolic activity in patients with liver cirrhosis by using the most accurate direct methods available. DESIGN: Two hundred sixty-eight patients (179 M, 89 F; x +/- SEM age: 50.1 +/- 0.6 y) with liver cirrhosis underwent measurements of total body protein by neutron activation analysis, of total body fat and bone mineral by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, of resting energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry, of grip strength by dynamometry, and of respiratory muscle strength by using a pressure transducer. Dietary intakes of energy and protein were assessed and indexed to resting energy expenditure and energy intake, respectively. RESULTS: Significant protein depletion, seen in 51% of patients, was significantly (P<0.0001) more prevalent in men (63%) than in women (28%). This sex difference occurred irrespective of disease severity or origin. The prevalence of protein depletion increased significantly (P<0.0001) with disease severity. Protein depletion was associated with decreased muscle function but not with lower energy and protein intake. Energy intake was significantly (P=0.002) higher in men than in women, whereas protein intakes did not differ significantly (P=0.12). Hypermetabolism, seen in 15% of patients, was not associated with sex, origin or severity of disease, protein depletion, ascites, or presence of tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Poor nutritional status with protein depletion and reduced muscle function was a common finding, particularly in men, and was not related to the presence of hypermetabolism or reduced energy and protein intakes. The greater conservation of protein stores in women than in men warrants further investigation.

Australasian society for parenteral and enteral nutrition (AuSPEN) adult vitamin guidelines for parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This work represents the second part of a progressive review of AuSPEN's 1999 Guidelines for Provision of Micronutrient Supplementation in adult patients receiving parenteral nutrition. METHODS AND STUDY DESIGN: A systematic literature review was undertaken and recommendations made based on the available evidence and with consideration to specific elements of the Australian and New Zealand (NZ) practice environment. The strength of evidence underpinning each recommendation was assessed. A multidisciplinary steering committee and external reviewers provided feedback on the guidelines. RESULTS: On review of the available literature it appears that the parenteral multivitamin preparations presently available in Australia and NZ are to sufficient avoid deficiency without causing toxicity in most clinical situations for adults receiving PN when provided regularly as part of the PN prescription. Vitamin D is the most vulnerable vitamin for the Australian and NZ PN population. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamins are an essential component of PN and should be provided from commencement for all patients receiving PN. With the exception of vitamin D, which is recommended to be monitored annually, routine monitoring of vitamin levels is unlikely to be necessary in patients receiving regular parenteral multivitamin preparations. Clinical judgement is an important element when assessing, prescribing and monitoring patients receiving PN. Areas requiring further research have been identified.

ESPEN guidelines on chronic intestinal failure in adults.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Chronic Intestinal Failure (CIF) is the long-lasting reduction of gut function, below the minimum necessary for the absorption of macronutrients and/or water and electrolytes, such that intravenous supplementation is required to maintain health and/or growth. CIF is the rarest organ failure. Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) is the primary treatment for CIF. No guidelines (GLs) have been developed that address the global management of CIF. These GLs have been devised to generate comprehensive recommendations for safe and effective management of adult patients with CIF. METHODS: The GLs were developed by the Home Artificial Nutrition & Chronic Intestinal Failure Special Interest Group of ESPEN. The GRADE system was used for assigning strength of evidence. Recommendations were discussed, submitted to Delphi rounds, and accepted in an online survey of ESPEN members. RESULTS: The following topics were addressed: management of HPN; parenteral nutrition formulation; intestinal rehabilitation, medical therapies, and non-transplant surgery, for short bowel syndrome, chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction, and radiation enteritis; intestinal transplantation; prevention/treatment of CVC-related infection, CVC-related occlusion/thrombosis; intestinal failure-associated liver disease, gallbladder sludge and stones, renal failure and metabolic bone disease. Literature search provided 623 full papers. Only 12% were controlled studies or meta-analyses. A total of 112 recommendations are given: grade of evidence, very low for 51%, low for 39%, moderate for 8%, and high for 2%; strength of recommendation: strong for 63%, weak for 37%. CONCLUSIONS: CIF management requires complex technologies, multidisciplinary and multiprofessional activity, and expertise to care for both the underlying gastrointestinal disease and to provide HPN support. The rarity of the condition impairs the development of RCTs. As a consequence, most of the recommendations have a low or very low grade of evidence. However, two-thirds of the recommendations are considered strong. Specialized management and organization underpin these recommendations.

Supplemental parenteral nutrition in critically ill patients: a study protocol for a phase II randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Nutrition is one of the fundamentals of care provided to critically ill adults. The volume of enteral nutrition received, however, is often much less than prescribed due to multiple functional and process issues. To deliver the prescribed volume and correct the energy deficit associated with enteral nutrition alone, parenteral nutrition can be used in combination (termed "supplemental parenteral nutrition"), but benefits of this method have not been firmly established. A multi-centre, randomised, clinical trial is currently underway to determine if prescribed energy requirements can be provided to critically ill patients by using a supplemental parenteral nutrition strategy in the critically ill. METHODS/DESIGN: This prospective, multi-centre, randomised, stratified, parallel-group, controlled, phase II trial aims to determine whether a supplemental parenteral nutrition strategy will reliably and safely increase energy intake when compared to usual care. The study will be conducted for 100 critically ill adults with at least one organ system failure and evidence of insufficient enteral intake from six intensive care units in Australia and New Zealand. Enrolled patients will be allocated to either a supplemental parenteral nutrition strategy for 7 days post randomisation or to usual care with enteral nutrition. The primary outcome will be the average energy amount delivered from nutrition therapy over the first 7 days of the study period. Secondary outcomes include protein delivery for 7 days post randomisation; total energy and protein delivery, antibiotic use and organ failure rates (up to 28 days); duration of ventilation, length of intensive care unit and hospital stay. At both intensive care unit and hospital discharge strength and health-related quality of life assessments will be undertaken. Study participants will be followed up for health-related quality of life, resource utilisation and survival at 90 and 180 days post randomisation (unless death occurs first). DISCUSSION: This trial aims to determine if provision of a supplemental parenteral nutrition strategy to critically ill adults will increase energy intake compared to usual care in Australia and New Zealand. Trial outcomes will guide development of a subsequent larger randomised controlled trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01847534 (First registered 5 February 2013, last updated 14 October 2015).

ESPEN endorsed recommendations. Definition and classification of intestinal failure in adults.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Intestinal failure (IF) is not included in the list of PubMed Mesh terms, as failure is the term describing a state of non functioning of other organs, and as such is not well recognized. No scientific society has yet devised a formal definition and classification of IF. The European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism guideline committee endorsed its "home artificial nutrition and chronic IF" and "acute IF" special interest groups to write recommendations on these issues. METHODS: After a Medline Search, in December 2013, for "intestinal failure" and "review"[Publication Type], the project was developed using the Delphi round methodology. The final consensus was reached on March 2014, after 5 Delphi rounds and two live meetings. RESULTS: The recommendations comprise the definition of IF, a functional and a pathophysiological classification for both acute and chronic IF and a clinical classification of chronic IF. IF was defined as "the reduction of gut function below the minimum necessary for the absorption of macronutrients and/or water and electrolytes, such that intravenous supplementation is required to maintain health and/or growth". CONCLUSIONS: This formal definition and classification of IF, will facilitate communication and cooperation among professionals in clinical practice, organization and management, and research.

Australasian Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition guidelines for supplementation of trace elements during parenteral nutrition.

BACKGROUND: This work represents the first part of a progressive review of AuSPEN's 1999 Guidelines for Provision of Micronutrient Supplementation in Adult Patients receiving Parenteral Nutrition, in recognition of the developments in the literature on this topic since that time. METHODS: A systematic literature review was undertaken and recommendations were made based on the available evidence and with consideration to specific elements of the Australian and New Zealand practice environment. The strength of evidence underpinning each recommendation was assessed. External reviewers provided feedback on the guidelines using the AGREE II tool. RESULTS: Reduced doses of manganese, copper, chromium and molybdenum, and an increased dose of selenium are recommended when compared with the 1999 guidelines. Currently the composition of available multi-trace element formulations is recognised as an obstacle to aligning these guidelines with practice. A paucity of available literature and limitations with currently available methods of monitoring trace element status are acknowledged. The currently unknown clinical impact of changes to trace element contamination of parenteral solutions with contemporary practices highlights need for research and clinical vigilance in this area of nutrition support practice. CONCLUSIONS: Trace elements are essential and should be provided daily to patients receiving parenteral nutrition. Monitoring is generally only required in longer term parenteral nutrition, however should be determined on an individual basis. Industry is encouraged to modify existing multi-trace element solutions available in Australia and New Zealand to reflect changes in the literature outlined in these guidelines. Areas requiring research are highlighted.

A prospective study of catheter-related complications in HPN patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Central venous access device (CVAD)-related complications such as catheter-related sepsis, occlusion and breakage contribute to both mortality and morbidity in home parenteral nutrition (HPN) patients. Prospectively collected data in these patients are scarce. METHODS: Data on all CVAD-related complications in four tertiary referral centres in Australia and New Zealand were prospectively collected between 01/01/2009 and 31/12/2009 together with costs of each episode that required admission. RESULTS: Of 53 patients (42 adults and 11 children), 27 suffered a total of 49 episodes of CVAD-associated complications (line infection 36, catheter blockage 5, line fracture 1, line migration 7), giving an incidence of 3.6 per 1000 CVAD days (11.6 per 1000 in patients with a multi-use CVAD). Thirty seven episodes resulted in hospital admission for a median duration of 8 days (range 1-29). Responsible microbes were mainly enteric with klebsiella being the most commonly isolated organism (10 episodes). The average cost of care per episode of CVAD-associated complication requiring inpatient admission was $A9,710 (€6480 approximately). CONCLUSION: CVAD complications, in particular line infection are still a major source of potentially avoidable HPN morbidity and mortality with a high cost to the healthcare system. The predominance of enteric organisms in our series raises the possibility of bacterial translocation as a significant component of the pathogenesis of line sepsis in HPN patients.

Adult total parenteral nutrition at Auckland City Hospital: a 6-year review.

AIM: To summarise and evaluate data on the use of total parenteral nutrition (TPN) and associated septic complications at Auckland City Hospital (Auckland, New Zealand) over a 6-year period beginning with appointment of a specialist TPN nurse. METHODS: For each adult patient requiring TPN on an inpatient basis (excluding those in critical care) between January 1998 and December 2003 demographic data, reason for TPN requirement, number of days of TPN administration, type of central venous line used for administration, and frequency of infectious complications were collected prospectively. RESULTS: 498 episodes of TPN were recorded in 484 patients (202 male, median age 60, range 15-89 y). Median duration of TPN administration was 11 (range 1-326) d. Over the 6-year period the number of episodes of TPN per year did not change significantly while median duration of TPN decreased from 14.5 d in 1998 to 8 d in 2003 (p<0.0001). Paralytic ileus following abdominal surgery was the predominant indication for TPN. After 1998, the rate of catheter-related bloodstream infections stabilised at 2 per 1000 TPN days. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide a benchmark for infection rates associated with administration of TPN managed by a Nutrition Support Team in a New Zealand tertiary care hospital.