ACERTO Project - 15 years changing perioperative care in Brazil.

The ACERTO project is a multimodal perioperative care protocol. Implemented in 2005, the project in the last 15 years has disseminated the idea of a modern perioperative care protocol, based on evidence and with interdisciplinary team work. Dozens of published studies, using the protocol, have shown benefits such as reduced hospital stay, postoperative complications and hospital costs. Disseminated in Brazil, the project is supported by the Brazilian College of Surgeons and the Brazilian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, among others. This article compiles publications by the authors who belong to the CNPq research group "Acerto em Nutrição e Cirurgia", refers to the experience of other national authors in various surgical specialties, and finally outlines the evolution of the ACERTO project in the timeline.

Acerto Project - 15 years changing perioperative care in Brazil / Projeto Acerto - 15 anos modificando cuidados perioperatórios no Brasil

ABSTRACT The ACERTO project is a multimodal perioperative care protocol. Implemented in 2005, the project in the last 15 years has disseminated the idea of a modern perioperative care protocol, based on evidence and with interdisciplinary team work. Dozens of published studies, using the protocol, have shown benefits such as reduced hospital stay, postoperative complications and hospital costs. Disseminated in Brazil, the project is supported by the Brazilian College of Surgeons and the Brazilian Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, among others. This article compiles publications by the authors who belong to the CNPq research group "Acerto em Nutrição e Cirurgia", refers to the experience of other national authors in various surgical specialties, and finally outlines the evolution of the ACERTO project in the timeline.

RESUMO O projeto ACERTO é um protocolo multimodal de cuidados perioperatórios. Implementado em 2005, o projeto, nos últimos 15 anos, tem disseminado a ideia de moderno protocolo de cuidados perioperatórios baseados em evidência e com atuação interprofissional. Dezenas de estudos publicados com o uso do protocolo têm mostrado benefícios como redução do tempo de internação, complicações pós-operatórias e custos hospitalares. Disseminado pelo Brasil, o projeto tem apoio do Colégio Brasileiro de Cirurgiões e da Sociedade Brasileira de Nutrição Parenteral e Enteral, entre outros. Este artigo compila publicações dos autores que compõem o grupo de pesquisa do CNPq "Acerto em Nutrição e Cirurgia", cita a experiência de outros autores nacionais em diversas especialidades cirúrgica e finalmente, delineia a evolução do projeto ACERTO ao longo da linha do tempo.

[ASPEN-FELANPE Clinical Guidelines: Nutrition Support of Adult Patients with Enterocutaneous Fistula]. / Guías Clínicas ASPEN-FELANPE: Terapia Nutricional en Pacientes Adultos con Fístulas Enterocutáneas.

INTRODUCTION: Background: the management of patients with enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) requires an interdisciplinary approach and poses a significant challenge to surgeons, gastroenterologists, intensivists, wound/stoma care specialists, and nutrition support clinicians. Available guidelines for optimizing nutritional status in these patients are often vague, based on limited and dated clinical studies, and typically rely on individual or institutional experience. Specific nutrient requirements, appropriate route of feeding, role of immune-enhancing nutrients, and use of somatostatin analogs in the management of patients with ECF remain a challenge for the clinician. The purpose of this clinical guideline is to develop recommendations for the nutritional care of adult patients with ECF. Methods: a systematic review of the best available evidence to answer a series of questions regarding clinical management of adults with ECF was undertaken and evaluated using concepts adopted from the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) Working Group. An anonymous consensus process was used to develop the clinical guideline recommendations prior to peer review and approval by the A.S.P.E.N. and FELANPE Board of Directors. Questions: in adult patients with enterocutaneous fistula: 1) What factors best describe nutritional status? 2) What is the preferred route of nutritional therapy (oral diet, EN or PN)? 3) What protein and energy intake provide best clinical outcomes? 4) Is fistuloclysis associated with better outcomes than standard care? 5) Are immune-enhancing nutrients associated with better outcomes? 6) Does the use of somatostatin provide better outcomes than standard medical therapy? 7) When is home parenteral nutrition support indicated?

INTRODUCCIÓN: Introducción: el manejo de las fístulas enterocutáneas (FEC) es un reto que requiere enfoque interdisciplinario y plantea un desafío importante. Las guías para optimizar el estado nutricional en estos pacientes están basadas en estudios que dependen de la experiencia individual y, ocasionalmente, institucional; que se focalizan en el tratamiento integral de las FEC, centrándose en el manejo médico y quirúrgico, mientras que la terapia nutricional se revisa solo superficialmente. Los requerimientos nutricionales, vía de administración, uso de inmunonutrición y de análogos de la somatostatina en el tratamiento de estos pacientes no están bien definidos. El objetivo de esta guía es desarrollar recomendaciones específicas para la terapia nutricional de los pacientes adultos con FEC. Método: revisión sistemática de la mejor evidencia disponible para responder a una serie de preguntas sobre la terapia nutricional de los adultos con FEC, evaluada utilizando la metodología GRADE. Se utilizó un proceso de consenso anónimo para desarrollar las recomendaciones de la guía clínica antes de la revisión por pares y la aprobación por las Juntas Directivas de ASPEN y FELANPE. Preguntas: 1) ¿Qué factores describen mejor el estado nutricional de los adultos con FEC? 2) ¿Cuál es la mejor vía para administrar la terapia nutricional (oral, nutrición enteral o parenteral)? 3) ¿Qué aporte energético y proteico proporciona mejores resultados clínicos? 4) ¿El uso de la fistuloclisis se asocia a mejores resultados? 5) ¿Las fórmulas inmunomoduladoras se asocian a mejores resultados? 6) ¿El uso de la somatostatina proporciona mejores resultados? 7) ¿Cuándo está indicada la terapia nutricional parenteral domiciliaria?

Hospital and homecare malnutrition and nutritional therapy in Brazil. Strategies for alleviating it: a position paper.

INTRODUCTION: Malnutrition in hospitalized patients is not evaluated frequently. However, it is a critical issue given that it has been related to a high rate of infectious complications and increased mortality rates. There is a high prevalence of patients with nutritional impairment in the home environment, which favors their clinical worsening, the increase of re-hospitalizations and, consequently, the increase in public health expenditures. OBJECTIVE: Nutrition experts have thoroughly discussed and written this positioning paper on hospital and homecare malnutrition to describe the prevalence of malnutrition in Brazil. Best practice recommendations for nutrition therapy of patients in hospital and homecare, in particular the use of oral nutritional supplements (ONS), to those who are at risk of malnutrition or malnourished were evaluated, and the impact on clinical and economic data were assessed. In addition, they emphasize that investments in oral nutritional supplementation are also important in the homecare environment (home or nursing homes). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Selected scientific articles on disease-related malnutrition, especially those carried out in Brazil, were assessed. Data on prevalence, clinical outcomes, and economic burdens were reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Several studies have shown the importance of in-hospital nutritional assessment for early detection of malnutrition and early intervention with nutrition therapy, in particular with oral nutritional therapy. Unfortunately, hospital malnutrition remains high in Brazil, with severe consequences for patients. The implementation of universal nutritional screening and diagnosis as well as the therapeutic approach of malnutrition, particularly with the use, when possible, of oral nutrition supplements as the first step to address this condition is still low, and demands the investment in educational resources to change practices. Routine use of nutritional therapy in hospital and homecare settings improves clinical outcomes, is cost effective, and would be expected to help reduce healthcare costs.

Preoperative carbohydrate load and intraoperatively infused omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids positively impact nosocomial morbidity after coronary artery bypass grafting: a double-blind controlled randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: A strategy of limited preoperative fasting, with carbohydrate (CHO) loading and intraoperative infusion of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω-3 PUFA), has seldom been tried in cardiovascular surgery. Brief fasting, followed by CHO intake 2 h before anesthesia, may improve recovery from CABG procedures and lower perioperative vasoactive drug requirements. Infusion of ω-3 PUFA may reduce occurrences of postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF) and shorten hospital stays. The aim of this study was to assess morbidity (especially POAF) in ICU patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)/cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in combination, if preoperative fasts are curtailed in favor of CHO loading, and ω-3 PUFA are infused intraoperatively. METHODS: Fifty-seven patients undergoing CABG were randomly assigned to receive 12.5% maltodextrin (200 ml, 2 h before anesthesia), without infusing ω-3 PUFA (CHO, n = 14); water (200 ml, 2 h before anesthesia), without infusing ω-3 PUFA (controls, n = 14); 12.5% maltodextrin (200 ml, 2 h before anesthesia) plus intraoperative ω-3 PUFA (0.2 mcg/kg) (CHO + W3, n = 15); or water (200 ml, 2 h before anesthesia) plus intraoperative ω-3 PUFA (0.2 mcg/kg) (W3, n = 14). Perioperative clinical variables and mortality were analyzed, examining the incidence of POAF, as well as the need for inotropic vasoactive drugs during surgery and in ICU. RESULTS: Two deaths occurred (3.5%), but there were no instances of bronchoaspiration and mediastinitis. Neither ICU stays nor total postoperative stays differed by group (P > 0.05). Patients given preoperative CHO loads (CHO and CHO + W3 groups) experienced fewer instances of hospital infection (RR = 0.29, 95%CI 0.09-0.94; P = 0.023) and were less reliant on vasoactive amines during surgery (RR = 0.60, 95% CI 0.38-0.94; P = 0.020). Similarly, the number of patients requiring vasoactive drugs while recovering in ICU differed significantly by group (P = 0.008), showing benefits in patients given CHO loads. The overall incidence of POAF was 29.8% (17/57), differing significantly by group (P = 0.009). Groups given ω-3 PUFA (W3 and CHO + W3 groups) experienced significantly fewer instances of POAF (RR = 4.83, 95% CI 1.56-15.02; P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative curtailment of fasting was safe in this cohort. When implemented in conjunction with CHO loading and infusion of ω-3 PUFA during surgery, expedited recovery from CABG with CPB was observed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT: 03017001.

Multimodal perioperative care plus immunonutrition versus traditional care in total hip arthroplasty: a randomized pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Multimodal protocols of perioperative care may enhance postoperative recovery. However, limited information is available on preoperative immune and carbohydrate (CHO)-enriched drinks in patients undergoing hip arthroplasty. We aimed to investigate the effect of a multimodal protocol (ACERTO protocol) plus preoperative immune nutrition on the length of stay (LOS) and the postoperative acute phase response of patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. METHODS: Thirty-two patients (mean age, 58 years; range, 26-85 years; 16 males) were randomized to receive either the ACERTO protocol (n = 15, ACERTO Group), which consisted of 6 h preoperative fasting for solids, an oral drink (200 mL of 12.5 % maltodextrin) up to 2 h before induction of anesthesia, restricted intravenous fluids (only 1000 mL of crystalloid fluid after surgery) and preoperative immune nutrition (600 mL/day of Impact - Nestlé, Brazil) for five days prior to surgery, or traditional care (n = 17; control group), which consisted of 6-8 h preoperative fasting, intravenous hydration until the 1(st) postoperative day and no preoperative immune supplementation. The main endpoint was LOS. C-reactive protein (CRP) was the secondary endpoint and was assessed during induction of anesthesia and on postoperative day 2. RESULTS: Neither deaths nor postoperative complications occurred. The median LOS was 3 (2-5) days in the ACERTO group and 6 (3-8) days in controls (P <0.01). Postoperative CRP was higher in the control group (P <0.01). CONCLUSION: The ACERTO multimodal protocol of perioperative care plus preoperative immune nutrition may decrease LOS and postoperative CRP levels in total hip arthroplasty. CLINICAL TRIALS: NCT02580214.

Safe intake of an oral supplement containing carbohydrates and whey protein shortly before sedation to gastroscopy; a double blind, randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the gastric emptying of an oral supplement containing carbohydrate plus whey protein drunk before sedation for gastroscopy. METHODS: This is a randomized double-blind trial including adult patients (ages 18-65) with a chief complaint of epigastric burning and who were candidates to elective gastroscopy. After overnight fast subjects were randomized to drink 200 mL of an oral nutritional supplement containing maltodextrine in addition to whey protein 150 to 210 min before the gastroscopy (intervention group, n = 12) or to undergo the endoscopic procedure with no supplement (control group, n = 12). The residual gastric volume (RGV) suctioned and measured during the exam was the main endpoint of the study. RESULTS: There were no complications during all exams. The median (range) fasting time was greater (P < 0.001) in control group (770 min, ranging from 660-917 min) than in the study group (175 min ranging from 150 to 210 min). The median (range) RGV was similar in between the two groups (control group: 25 (10-70) mL versus intervention group: 10 (0-100) mL; p = 0.32). CONCLUSION: Gastric emptying 150-210 min after the ingestion of an oral supplement containing carbohydrate plus whey protein is similar to an overnight fasting condition. Although limited by the number of cases, the sedation for endoscopic procedures is safe with this fasting protocol.

Objetivo: Investigar el vaciado gástrico de un suplemento oral que contiene hidratos de carbono, más proteínas de suero de leche tomado antes de la sedación para endoscopia. Método: Se trata de un estudio doble ciego aleatorizado, que incluyó pacientes adultos (18-65 años de edad) por presentar epigastralgia y que eran candidatos a gastroscopia electiva. Después de una noche de ayuno los pacientes fueron asignados aleatoriamente para tomar 200 ml de un suplemento nutricional oral que contiene maltodextrina y proteína de suero de leche, de 150 a 210 minutos antes de la sedación, para gastroscopia (grupo de intervención, n = 12) o continuar en ayuno para el procedimiento endoscópico (grupo control, n = 12). El volumen gástrico residual (RGV) aspirado y medido durante el examen fue la variable de evaluación principal del estudio. Resultados: No hubo complicaciones durante los exámenes. El tiempo medio de ayuno (rango) fue mayor (P.

Early nutritional therapy in trauma: after A, B, C, D, E, the importance of the F (FEED).

A significant number of deaths in trauma occurs days to weeks after the initial injury, being caused by infection and organ failure related to hypercatabolism and consequent acute protein malnutrition. Nutritional therapy should be planned and included with other routines of resuscitation for patients with multiple trauma and severe burns. The rapid acquisition of a route for nutritional support is important to start early nutritional therapy within 48 hours of care. The enteral route is the preferred option in traumatized postoperative patients but the parenteral route should be prescribed when enteral feeding is contraindicated or inadequate. After the initial measures dictated by ATLS, synthesized in the A (airway), B (breathing), C (circulation), D (disability) and E (exposure), we include the letter F (feed) to emphasize the importance of early nutritional care in trauma.

Early enteral nutrition with whey protein or casein in elderly patients with acute ischemic stroke: a double-blind randomized trial.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of an early enteral formula containing whey protein, in comparison to a standard enteral formula containing casein as the protein source, on the levels of glutathione and inflammatory markers in aged patients with acute ischemic stroke. METHODS: Thirty-one elderly patients (12 males and 19 females; median age = 74 [range,65-90] y old) with ischemic stroke were randomized to receive early nasogastric feeding (35 kcal/kg/d and 1.2 g of protein/kg/d) with either a formula containing polymeric [corrected] casein (casein group, n =16) or another isocaloric and isonitrogenous formula containing hydrolyzed whey protein (WP group, n = 15) for 5 d. The primary endpoints of the study were the changes in the serum levels of glutathione peroxidase, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). RESULTS: Twenty-five patients completed the study (10 in the WP group and 15 in the casein group). Mortality was similar between groups (33%; P = 1.00) and was associated with higher serum IL-6 (73.7 ± 24.7 versus 16.6 ± 2.4 pg/dL; P = 0.04) and CRP (82.0 ± 35.6 versus 48.3 ± 14.5 mg/L; P = 0.02) levels. Albumin levels dropped from the first to the fifth feeding day only in the casein group (P < 0.01). Serum IL-6 decreased (62.7 ± 47.2 to 20.6 ± 10.3 pg/dL; P = 0.02) and glutathione increased (32.2 ± 2.1 to 39.9 ± 6.8 U/G Hb; P = 0.03) only in the WP group. Serum IL-6 was lower (P = 0.03) and glutathione was higher (P = 0.03) in whey protein-fed patients than in the casein group. CONCLUSION: Enteral formula containing whey protein may decrease inflammation and increase antioxidant defenses in elderly patients with ischemic stroke, compared to casein-containing formula.

Role of enteral nutrition and pharmaconutrients in conditions of splanchnic hypoperfusion.

In critically ill patients there is consistent evidence that significant benefits are achieved if nutrients are delivered within the gut compared with the parenteral route. However, in conditions related to gut hypoflux, enteral nutrition may play a double role in counterbalancing the installed low-flow state. On the one hand, enteral-induced postprandial hyperemia may preserve the mucosal barrier and ameliorate immune competence; on the other hand, feeding by the gut may pose a theoretical risk of intestinal ischemia. Despite limited investigation, a strategic temporary minimal enteral nutrition with hypocaloric content has been recommended recently aiming to avoid the overfeeding syndrome and the menace of gut hypoperfusion. Under these conditions, the early luminal delivery of key nutrients such as arginine, glutamine dipeptides, antioxidants, and butyrate are an attractive option for this subset of patients. Arginine may prevent intestinal injury due to hypoperfusion but may harm the gut if ischemia is established. In contrast, glutamine may promote benefits in both conditions. Further investigations by randomized trials in this field are necessary.