Terapia medico nutricional en pacientes que reciben terapia de oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea: conocimiento en progreso / Medical nutrition therapy in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: knowledge in progress

Resumen El soporte nutricional (SN) en pacientes adultos que reciben terapia de oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea (ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) es controvertido. Si bien existen guías para el SN en pacientes pediátricos con ECMO, en adultos no se cuenta con estos lineamientos para el uso, tipo, ruta y momento de la terapia nutricional. En pacientes críticamente enfermos es bien sabido que la nutrición enteral (NE) temprana es beneficiosa, no obstante existe la posibilidad de que en pacientes con ECMO la NE temprana condicione complicaciones gastrointestinales. Asimismo, no se han establecido metas calóricas, proteicas y dosis o tipos de micronutrimentos que usar para esta población en específico, siendo un reto para el clínico encargado de brindar el SN. Aunado a esto los pacientes con ECMO son algunos de los más gravemente enfermos en las unidades de cuidados intensivos, donde la desnutrición se asocia con una mayor morbilidad y mortalidad. En cuanto al uso de nutrición parenteral (NP), no se tiene descrito si implica riesgo de falla en el circuito al momento de introducir lípidos al oxigenador. Por lo anterior es imperativa una correcta evaluación e intervención nutricional específica, realizada por expertos en el tema para mejorar el pronóstico y la calidad de vida en esta población, siendo un objetivo primordial en los cuidados de los pacientes adultos que reciben terapia de ECMO.

Abstract Nutritional support in adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy is controversial. Although there are guidelines for the NS (Nutritional support) in pediatric patients with ECMO, in adults these guidelines are not available for the use, type, route and timing of nutritional therapy. In critically ill patients it is well known that early enteral nutrition is beneficial, however there is the possibility that in patients with ECMO early enteral nutrition leads to gastrointestinal complications. Likewise, there have not been established caloric targets, proteins and doses or types of micronutrients to use for this specific population being a challenge for the clinician. In addition, patients with ECMO are some of the most seriously ill in intensive care units, where malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Regarding the use of parenteral nutrition (NP) it has not been described if it implies a risk of circuit failure at the time of introducing lipids to the oxygenator. Therefore, a correct evaluation and specific nutritional intervention by experts in the field is imperative to improve the prognosis and quality of life in this population, which is a primary goal in the care of adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygen.

Medical nutrition therapy in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: knowledge in progress.

Nutritional support in adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy is controversial. Although there are guidelines for the NS (Nutritional support) in pediatric patients with ECMO, in adults these guidelines are not available for the use, type, route and timing of nutritional therapy. In critically ill patients it is well known that early enteral nutrition is beneficial, however there is the possibility that in patients with ECMO early enteral nutrition leads to gastrointestinal complications. Likewise, there have not been established caloric targets, proteins and doses or types of micronutrients to use for this specific population being a challenge for the clinician. In addition, patients with ECMO are some of the most seriously ill in intensive care units, where malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Regarding the use of parenteral nutrition (NP) it has not been described if it implies a risk of circuit failure at the time of introducing lipids to the oxygenator. Therefore, a correct evaluation and specific nutritional intervention by experts in the field is imperative to improve the prognosis and quality of life in this population, which is a primary goal in the care of adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygen.

El soporte nutricional (SN) en pacientes adultos que reciben terapia de oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea (ECMO, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) es controvertido. Si bien existen guías para el SN en pacientes pediátricos con ECMO, en adultos no se cuenta con estos lineamientos para el uso, tipo, ruta y momento de la terapia nutricional. En pacientes críticamente enfermos es bien sabido que la nutrición enteral (NE) temprana es beneficiosa, no obstante existe la posibilidad de que en pacientes con ECMO la NE temprana condicione complicaciones gastrointestinales. Asimismo, no se han establecido metas calóricas, proteicas y dosis o tipos de micronutrimentos que usar para esta población en específico, siendo un reto para el clínico encargado de brindar el SN. Aunado a esto los pacientes con ECMO son algunos de los más gravemente enfermos en las unidades de cuidados intensivos, donde la desnutrición se asocia con una mayor morbilidad y mortalidad. En cuanto al uso de nutrición parenteral (NP), no se tiene descrito si implica riesgo de falla en el circuito al momento de introducir lípidos al oxigenador. Por lo anterior es imperativa una correcta evaluación e intervención nutricional específica, realizada por expertos en el tema para mejorar el pronóstico y la calidad de vida en esta población, siendo un objetivo primordial en los cuidados de los pacientes adultos que reciben terapia de ECMO.

Evaluation of the Effects of Atorvastatin and N-Acetyl Cysteine on Platelet Counts in Patients with Primary Immune Thrombocytopenia: An Exploratory Clinical Trial.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of atorvastatin and N-acetyl cysteine in increasing platelet counts in patients with immune thrombocytopenia who were resistant to steroid therapy or had a relapse after treatment. Material and Methods: The patients included in this study received oral treatment of atorvastatin at a dose of 40 mg daily and N-acetyl cysteine at a dose of 400 mg every 8 h. The desired treatment duration was 12 months, but we included patients who completed at least 1 month of treatment in the analysis. The platelet counts were measured prior to the administration of the study treatment and in the first, third, sixth, and twelfth months of treatment (if available). A p value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We included 15 patients who met our inclusion criteria. For the total treatment duration, the global response was 60% (nine patients); eight patients (53.3%) had a complete response and one patient (6.7%) had a partial response. Six patients (40%) were considered as having undergone treatment failure. Of the responder group, five patients maintained a complete response after treatment (55.5%), three patients maintained a partial response (33.3%), and one patient (11.1%) lost their response to the treatment. All of the patients in the responder group had significant increases in their platelet counts after treatment (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study provides evidence of a possible treatment option for patients with primary immune thrombocytopenia. However, further studies are needed.

Terapia médico-nutricional en pacientes politraumatizados: una carrera contra el tiempo.

A polytraumatized patient is defined as one who has multiple lesions involving different organs and systems, which are usually serious and lead to life-threatening respiratory or circulatory dysfunction. Traumatic stress in the polytraumatized patient results in many metabolic changes that are evident from the first days, but usually persist for weeks, requiring adequate nutritional support as they influence outcomes. Nutritional treatment should be a priority in the comprehensive treatment of polytraumatized patients since it attenuates the metabolic response to trauma and prevents the deterioration of body reserves. It should be noted that some patients present previous nutritional risk. Nutritional intervention should be considered at the same level as any other therapy that supports organic functions, especially in patients in the intensive care unit. Nutritional intervention in polytraumatized patients is a pillar of treatment that has multiple benefits and can improve prognosis. All efforts must be aimed at the early detection of malnourished patients at nutritional risk and providing timely therapies that improve clinical outcomes.

El paciente politraumatizado se define como aquel que tiene múltiples lesiones que involucran diferentes órganos y sistemas, suelen ser graves y conllevan una disfunción respiratoria o circulatoria que pone en riesgo la vida. El estrés traumático en el paciente politraumatizado da lugar a muchos cambios metabólicos que son evidentes desde los primeros días, pero suelen persistir durante semanas y exigen un adecuado soporte nutricional, ya que influyen en los desenlaces. El tratamiento nutricional debe ser una prioridad en el tratamiento integral de los pacientes politraumatizados, porque atenúa la respuesta metabólica al trauma y evita el deterioro de las reservas corporales (cabe mencionar que algunos pacientes presentan riesgo nutricional previo). La intervención nutricional debe considerarse al mismo nivel que cualquier otra terapia que apoye las funciones orgánicas, sobre todo en pacientes en la unidad de terapia intensiva. La intervención nutricional en pacientes politraumatizados es un pilar en el tratamiento que tiene múltiples beneficios y puede mejorar el pronóstico. Todo esfuerzo debe ir encaminado a la detección temprana de pacientes desnutridos o en riesgo nutricional, y proporcionar de manera oportuna terapias que mejores los desenlaces clínicos.

Current concepts on preoperative nutritional support: How, when and why?

Malnutrition is associated with several complications during hospital stay, including patients who will undergo major surgery. Therefore, it is important to optimize nutritional status in the preoperative period being the main objective restoring metabolic and immunological abnormalities. Preoperative fasting is a common practice in clinical settings, although it has been shown to induce insulin resistance. One intervention to avoid this practice is the implementation of the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocol. Proper nutritional assessment in hospitalized patients is the cornerstone to identify patients at nutritional risk, or those in malnutrition who may benefit from early nutritional interventions. The feeding route should be chosen according to the patient's condition, either orally with the use of nutritional supplements and in those where calorie requirements cannot be achieved by oral, enteral nutrition is the next logical step, reserving parenteral nutritional support in patients with non-functional gastrointestinal tracts in order to improve postoperative morbidity and mortality.

La desnutrición se asocia con una larga lista de complicaciones intrahospitalarias, incluidos aquellos pacientes que se someterán a cirugía mayor. Por lo tanto, es importante optimizar el estado nutricional en el período preoperatorio, siendo el objetivo principal la restauración de anomalías metabólicas e inmunitarias. El ayuno preoperatorio es una práctica sistemática en el ámbito clínico, a pesar de que se ha demostrado que induce resistencia a la insulina. Una de las intervenciones para evitar dicha práctica es la implementación del protocolo ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery). Una correcta valoración nutricional en los pacientes hospitalizados es de vital importancia para identificar aquellos con riesgo nutricional, o bien aquellos en desnutrición que pudieran beneficiarse de intervenciones nutricionales tempranas. La ruta de alimentación debe elegirse de acuerdo con el estado del paciente, por vía oral con el uso de suplementos nutricionales o con nutrición enteral en aquellos cuyos requerimientos calóricos no logran ser alcanzados por dicha vía, y reservando el apoyo nutricional parenteral para aquellos con tracto gastrointestinal no funcional, con el objetivo de mejorar la morbilidad y la mortalidad posoperatorias.

Diagnostic utility of the serum-ascites albumin gradient in Mexican patients with ascites related to portal hypertension.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Analysis of ascitic fluid is necessary to determine the etiology and to distinguish portal hypertension (PH)-related and unrelated ascites. Numerous diagnostic parameters have been studied, but no single parameter has completely distinguished these. We aimed to validate the serum albumin-ascites gradient (SAAG) for the diagnosis of ascites secondary to PH and to establish cutoff points to predict PH using its sensitivity and specificity. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on patients diagnosed with ascites of any etiology. The SAAG and albumin concentration in ascitic fluid (AFA) were measured to establish their sensitivity and specificity for determining the presence or absence of PH. Cutoff points and levels of statistical significance were established based on the area under the curve. RESULTS: Eighty-seven patients were evaluated, of whom 74 (84%) were men, with an average age of 54.0 ± 13.6 years. Seventy-two (83%) were diagnosed at admission with PH-related ascites and 15 (17%) with non-PH-related ascites. SAAG correctly classified 48 (67%) patients, but 24 (33%) were classified incorrectly, while AFA classified 59 (82%) correctly and only 13 (17%) incorrectly. The diagnostic accuracy of SAAG was 57 versus 73% for AFA. AFA had a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 66% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.63-0.93), while SAAG had a sensitivity of 66% but a specificity of 86% (95% CI: 0.72-0.95). CONCLUSIONS: The SAAG showed poor diagnostic performance with low sensitivity but high specificity. The diagnostic accuracy of AFA is superior to that of SAAG in discriminating between PH and non-PH ascites.

Medical Nutrition Therapy in Hospitalized Patients With SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) Infection in a Non-critical Care Setting: Knowledge in Progress.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: As of 13 September 2020, almost 28 million confirmed cases of COVID-19 including more than 920,000 deaths have been reported to the World Health Organization. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic represents a potential threat to patients and healthcare systems worldwide. Patients with the worst outcomes and higher mortality are reported to include older adults, polymorbid individuals, and malnourished people in general. The purpose of this review is to provide concise guidance for the nutritional management of individuals with COVID-19 based on the current literature and focused on those in the non-ICU setting or with an older age and polymorbidity, which are independently associated with malnutrition and its negative impact on mortality. RECENT FINDINGS: Prolonged hospital stays are reported to be required for individuals with COVID-19, and longer acute setting stays may directly worsen or cause malnutrition, with severe loss of skeletal muscle mass and function, which may lead to poor quality of life and additional morbidity. Nutritional therapy is among the mainstay of therapeutic principles and one of the core contents of comprehensive treatment measures. The current COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented. The prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of malnutrition should therefore be routinely included in the management of individuals with COVID-19.

Comparison of nutritional screening tools to assess nutritional risk and predict clinical outcomes in Mexican patients with digestive diseases.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of malnutrition remains high in hospitals but no "gold standard" has been established to identify nutritional risks adequately. The Nutrition Risk Screening-2002 (NRS-2002), Subjective Global Assessment (SGA), and Controlling Nutritional Status Index (CONUT) are widely used screening tools, but their efficacy has not yet been compared in Mexican patients. Here, we aimed to compare the efficacy of these tools in identifying nutritional risks within the first 48 h of admission in a group of patients with gastrointestinal diseases. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 196 patients. The results of the screening tools, length of hospital stay, serum albumin and cholesterol concentrations, lymphocyte counts, age, body mass index (BMI), complications, and mortality were analyzed. Kappa (κ) statistics were applied to determine the degree of agreement between tools. The performances of the screening tools in predicting complications and mortality were assessed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: The NRS-2002, SGA, and CONUT tools identified nutritional risk in 67, 74, and 51% of the patients, respectively. The observed agreements between tools were: NRS2002/SGA, κ = 0.53; CONUT/NRS-2002, κ = 0.42; and SGA/CONUT, κ = 0.36. Within age groups, the best agreement was found in those aged 51-65 years (κ = 0.68). CONUT and length of stay were both predictive for the number of complications. The number of complications and serum cholesterol concentrations were predictive for mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of patients identified as having nutritional risk was high using all three screening tools. SGA, NRS-2002, and CONUT had similar capacities for screening risk, but the best agreement was observed between NRS-2002 and SGA. Only CONUT predicted complications, but none of these tools performed well in predicting mortality.