Quality of anthropometric measurements in Spanish Intensive Care Units (The CAMIES Study). / Calidad de la medición antropométrica en las Unidades de Medicina Intensiva españolas (Estudio CAMIES).

INTRODUCTION: Real body weight and height are essential data to be obtained in all critically ill patients (CIP), due to their influence in the designing of therapies and monitoring. Visual estimation is a very inaccurate practice. No precise descriptions of anthropometric measurements among CIP are available in the clinical practice guides. OBJECTIVE: To describe anthropometric quality in CIP, health professional perception of such quality, and its influencing factors. DESIGN: Computer-assisted telephone or self-interviewing. SETTING: Doctors and nurses of all Spanish Intensive Care Units (ICU) attending adults. RELEVANT VARIABLES: Anthropometric practices were described in detail, along with the proclivity to obtain real measurements, and the influence of professional experience, the number of ICU beds, and the health professional group involved. RESULTS: A total of 481 questionnaires were collected from 176 hospitals (36.8% from physicians). The availability of measuring tools is limited (weight 68.7% - height 76.7%), with no relation to the number of ICU beds (weight P=.343, height P=.61). Visual estimation was the most frequent way of obtaining measurements (weight 65.9% - height 64.8%), even when measuring tools were available. Willingness to take real measurements was very low, especially among physicians, and professional experience was associated to increased rejection (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Visually estimated measurements exceed real measurements in the routine practice of Spanish ICUs. Measurement tools are not widely available in the ICU, and even when available, their use is not guaranteed. The surveyed population does not view anthropometric measures as being important for clinical practice. An effort should be made by scientific societies to promote reliable anthropometric practice in Spanish ICUs.

Resultados de una encuesta sobre la práctica clínica habitual en el empleo de albúmina en UCI / Results of a survey on albumin use in clinical practice in intensive care units

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las soluciones de albúmina humana se emplean en diversas enfermedades, aunque su indicación no es clara en todas. Presentan un coste elevado y su beneficio no se encuentra plenamente establecido. Resulta interesante conocer cuál es la presencia de las soluciones de albúmina en la práctica clínica diaria de los intensivistas. OBJETIVO: Documentar prácticas clínicas habituales y describir la variabilidad de las mismas en cuanto al empleo de soluciones de albúmina en enfermos críticos. DISEÑO: Encuesta enviada mediante correo electrónico a unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) españolas y sudamericanas. Periodo: Planificación y realización durante el año 2012. Ámbito: UCI españolas y sudamericanas. MÉTODOS: Cuestionario de 35 preguntas. RESULTADOS: Se han analizado 57 encuestas. El empleo de las soluciones de albúmina fue esporádico o no se empleaba en el paciente crítico (96,5%). La excepción fueron los pacientes hepatópatas (un 87,7% de los encuestados la administraba). Un elevado porcentaje declaró conocer la evidencia científica disponible sobre el empleo de albúmina en pacientes hepatópatas (82,5%) y no hepatópatas (77,2%). El 5,3% de los encuestados prefería basarse en su experiencia para establecer las indicaciones del empleo de albúmina. CONCLUSIONES: El empleo de soluciones de albúmina no es frecuente en las UCI, salvo en pacientes hepatópatas. Los profesionales del enfermo crítico manifiestan tener un amplio conocimiento de la evidencia científica. Las opiniones emitidas, acerca del empleo de albúmina, son acordes con las recomendaciones establecidas, sobre todo, en pacientes hepatópatas. La experiencia profesional prevalece en escasas ocasiones sobre las recomendaciones publicadas

BACKGROUND: Human albumin solutions are used in a number of disorders, though their indications are not clear in all circumstances. These solutions are costly, and their benefit has not been established in all settings. It is therefore interesting to assess the presence of albumin solutions in the daily clinical practice of critical care professionals. OBJECTIVES: To report the standard clinical practices and to describe the variability of albumin solutions use in critically ill patients. DESIGN: A survey sent by e-mail to Spanish and South American Intensive Care Units (ICUs) Period: Planning and execution during the year 2012. METHODS: A questionnaire comprising 35 questions. RESULTS: Fifty-seven surveys were analyzed. The use of albumin solutions was sporadic or negligible in critically ill patients (96.5%). The exceptions were patients with liver disease (87.7% of the responders administered albumin to these patients). A high percentage of professionals claimed to know the available scientific evidence on the use of albumin in patients with liver disease (82.5%) and in patients without liver disease (77.2%). Only 5.3% of the responders preferred to rely on their own experience to establish the indications of albumin use. CONCLUSIONS: The use of albumin solutions is infrequent in ICUs, except in patients with liver disease. Evidence-based knowledge on albumin use is declared to be extensive in ICUs. As a rule, opinions on the use of albumin solutions are based on the scientific recommendations, especially in patients with liver disease. Professional experience rarely prevails over the published clinical guidelines

Results of a survey on albumin use in clinical practice in intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: Human albumin solutions are used in a number of disorders, though their indications are not clear in all circumstances. These solutions are costly, and their benefit has not been established in all settings. It is therefore interesting to assess the presence of albumin solutions in the daily clinical practice of critical care professionals. OBJECTIVES: To report the standard clinical practices and to describe the variability of albumin solutions use in critically ill patients. DESIGN: A survey sent by e-mail to Spanish and South American Intensive Care Units (ICUs) PERIOD: Planning and execution during the year 2012. METHODS: A questionnaire comprising 35 questions. RESULTS: Fifty-seven surveys were analyzed. The use of albumin solutions was sporadic or negligible in critically ill patients (96.5%). The exceptions were patients with liver disease (87.7% of the responders administered albumin to these patients). A high percentage of professionals claimed to know the available scientific evidence on the use of albumin in patients with liver disease (82.5%) and in patients without liver disease (77.2%). Only 5.3% of the responders preferred to rely on their own experience to establish the indications of albumin use. CONCLUSIONS: The use of albumin solutions is infrequent in ICUs, except in patients with liver disease. Evidence-based knowledge on albumin use is declared to be extensive in ICUs. As a rule, opinions on the use of albumin solutions are based on the scientific recommendations, especially in patients with liver disease. Professional experience rarely prevails over the published clinical guidelines.

Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient. Update. Consensus SEMICYUC-SENPE: Introduction and methodology / Recomendaciones para el soporte nutricional y metabólico especializado del paciente crítico. Actualización. Consenso SEMICYUC-SENPE: Introducción y metodología

The Recommendations for Specialized Nutritional Support in Critically-Ill patients were drafted by the Metabolism and Nutrition Working Group of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC) in 2005. Given the time elapsed since then, these recommendations have been reviewed and updated as a Consensus Document in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SENPE). The primary aim of these Recommendations was to evaluate the best available scientific evidence for the indications of specialized nutritional and metabolic support in critically-ill patients. The Recommendations have been formulated by an expert panel with broad experience in nutritional and metabolic support in critically-ill patients and were drafted between October 2009 and March 2011. The studies analyzed encompassed metaanalyses, randomized clinical trials, observational studies, systematic reviews and updates relating to critically-ill adults in MEDLINE from 1966 to 2010, EMBASE reviews from 1991 to 2010 and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to 2010. The methodological criteria selected were those established in the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and the Agency for Health Care policy and Research, as well as those of the Jadad Quality Scale. Adjustment for the level of evidence and grade of recommendation was performed following the proposal of the GRADE group (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group). Sixteen pathological scenarios were selected and each of them was developed by groups of three experts. A feedback system was established with the five members of the Editorial Committee and with the entire Working Group. All discrepancies were discussed and consensus was reached over several meetings, with special emphasis placed on reviewing the levels of evidence and grades of recommendation. The Editorial Committee made the final adjustments before the document was approved by all the members of the Working Group. Finally, the document was submitted to the Scientific Committees of the two Societies participating in the Consensus for final approval. The present Recommendations aim to serve as a guide for clinicians involved in the management and treatment of critically-ill patients and for any specialists interested in the nutritional treatment of hospitalized patients (AU)

El Grupo de trabajo de Metabolismo y Nutrición de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva, Crítica y Unidades Coronarias (SEMICYUC) elaboró en 2005 unas recomendaciones para el soporte nutricional especializado del paciente crítico. Dado el tiempo transcurrido se consideró oportuno la revisión y actualización de dichas recomendaciones, planificándolas como un documento de consenso con la Sociedad Española de Nutrición parenteral y Enteral (SENpE). El objetivo primario planteado para el establecimiento de las recomendaciones fue evaluar la mejor evidencia científica disponible para las indicaciones del soporte nutricional y metabólico especializado en el paciente crítico. Las recomendaciones se han realizado por un panel de expertos con amplia experiencia en el soporte nutricional y metabólico de los pacientes en situación crítica y se han llevado a cabo entre octubre de 2009 y marzo de 2011. Se analizaron metaanálisis, estudios clínicos aleatorizados y observacionales, revisiones sistemáticas y puestas al día referentes a pacientes críticos en edad adulta en MEDLINE de 1966 a 2010, EMBASE reviews de 1991 a 2010 y Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews hasta 2010. Se seleccionaron los criterios metodológicos establecidos en la Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network y los de la Agency for Health Care policy and Research, además de la escala de valoración de la calidad de Jadad, ajustando la gradación de la evidencia y la potencia de las recomendaciones siguiendo la propuesta del Grupo GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group). Se seleccionaron 16 situaciones patológicas que fueron desarrolladas, cada una, por grupos de 3 expertos, estableciéndose un sistema de feedback con los 5 miembros del Comité de Redacción y con la totalidad del Grupo de trabajo. En diferentes reuniones se discutieron y consensuaron todas las discrepancias, poniéndose especial énfasis en el repaso de los niveles de evidencia y grados de recomendación establecidos. El Comité de Redacción procedió al ajuste final para su presentación y aprobación definitiva por todos los miembros del Grupo de trabajo. Finalmente el documento se presentó a los comités científicos de las dos sociedades participantes del consenso para su aprobación definitiva. Las presentes recomendaciones pretenden servir de guía para los clínicos con responsabilidades en el manejo y tratamiento de los pacientes críticos y para todos los especialistas interesados en el tratamiento nutricional del paciente hospitalizado (AU)

Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient. Update. Consensus SEMICYUC-SENPE: Severe acute pancreatitis / Recomendaciones para el soporte nutricional y metabólico especializado del paciente crítico. Actualización. Consenso SEMICYUC-SENPE: Pancreatitis aguda grave

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) causes local and systemic complications leading to high catabolic, hypermetabolic and hyperdynamic stress states with marked morbidity and mortality. In the last decade, nutritional support has become a key element in the treatment of SAP. Thus, specialized nutrition is indicated from admission, with enteral nutrition being preferred to parenteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition should be initiated early using infusion through the jejunum beyond the ligament of Treitz to minimize pancreatic stress. There are no specific studies that establish the type of diet to be used but experts recommend the use of polymeric diets. Parenteral nutrition, without a specific formula, is indicated in patients with SAP who are intolerant to enteral nutrition or when the clinical signs of pancreatitis are exacerbated or aggravated by enteral nutrition. Evenso, a minimal level of enteral infusion should be maintained to preserve the trophic effect of the intestinal mucosa. In the last few years, several studies of the administration of immunomodulatory diets in patients with SAP have been carried out to demonstrate their effects on the course of the disease. However, there are few clear recommendations on the prognostic benefits of pharmaconutrient enriched diets in these patients. There is substantial scientific evidence suggesting that the only clear indication for pharmaconutrition in patients with SAP is parenteral glutamine administration, which is recommended by all clinical guidelines with distinct grades of evidence (AU)

La pancreatitis aguda grave es una patología que cursa con complicaciones locales y sistémicas que condicionan una situación de estrés altamente catabólica, hipermetabólica e hiperdinámica con marcada morbimortalidad. En la última década, el soporte nutricional se ha convertido en uno de los puntos clave en el tratamiento de la pancreatitis aguda grave. Así, hay indicación de nutrición especializada desde el ingreso, siendo de elección la nutrición enteral sobre la nutrición parenteral administrada de forma precoz más allá del ligamento de treitz, para provocar el mínimo estímulo pancreático. No hay estudios específicos que nos aclaren cuál es el tipo de dieta a administrar, pero los expertos recomiendan la utilización de dietas poliméricas. La nutrición parenteral, sin una fórmula concreta, quedaría indicada en los pacientes con pancreatitis aguda grave que presentan intolerancia a la nutrición enteral o cuando se agravan los signos clínicos de pancreatitis al administrar la dieta enteral. Aun así, se recomienda mantener una mínima perfusión de nutrición enteral para preservar el efecto trófico de la mucosa intestinal. En los últimos años se han realizado numerosos trabajos referentes a la administración de dietas inmunomoduladoras en pacientes con pancreatitis aguda grave, con la finalidad de objetivar cambios en su evolución. Sin embargo, hay pocas recomendaciones claras en cuanto a los beneficios pronósticos de la administración de dietas enriquecidas en fármaco nutrientes, específicamente en pacientes con pancreatitis aguda grave. Sustentada por una evidencia científica relevante, el aporte de glutamina por vía parenteral en pacientes con pancreatitis aguda grave parece ser la única indicación clara de fármaco nutrición en pancreatitis aguda grave recomendando su uso todas las guías de referencia para la práctica clínica con diferentes grados de evidencia (AU)

Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient. Update. Consensus SEMICYUC-SENPE: Neurocritical patient / Recomendaciones para el soporte nutricional y metabólico especializado del paciente crítico. Actualización. Consenso SEMICYUC-SENPE: Paciente neurocrítico

Neurocritical patients require specialized nutritional support due to their intense catabolism and prolonged fasting. The preferred route of nutrient administration is the gastrointestinal route, especially the gastric route. Alternatives are the transpyloric route or mixed enteral parenteral nutrition if an effective nutritional volume of more than 60% cannot be obtained. Total calore intake ranges from 20-30 kcal/kg/day, depending on the period of the clinical course, with protein intake higher than 20% of total calories (hyperproteic diet). Nutritional support should be initiated early. The incidence of gastrointestinal complications is gene -rally higher to other critically-ill patients, the most frequent complication being an increase in gastric residual volume. As in other critically-ill patients, glycemia should be closely monitored and maintained below 150 mg/dL (AU)

El enfermo neurocrítico precisa un soporte nutricional especializado debido a su intenso catabolismo y a un prolongado período de ayuno. La vía de administración nutricional preferente es la gastrointestinal, particularmente la vía gástrica, siendo alternativas la vía transpilórica o la nutrición mixta enteral parenteral en caso de no obtener un volumen nutricional eficaz superior al 60%.El aporte calórico total oscila entre 20-30 kcal/kg/día, según el período de evolución clínica en que se encuentre, con un aporte proteico superior al 20% de las calorías totales (hiperproteico). El inicio del aporte nutricional debe ser precoz. La incidencia de complicaciones gastrointestinales es superior al enfermo crítico en general, siendo el aumento del residuo gástrico el más frecuente. Debe establecerse un estrecho control de la glucemia, manteniéndose por debajo de 150 mg/dl como en el resto de los enfermos críticos (AU)

Recomendaciones para el soporte nutricional y metabólico especializado del paciente crítico. Actualización. Consenso SEMICYUC-SENPE: Introducción y metodología / Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient. Update. Consensus of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units-Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SEMICYUC-SENPE): Introduction and methodology

El Grupo de Trabajo de Metabolismo y Nutrición de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva, Crítica y Unidades Coronarias (SEMICYUC) elaboró en 2005 unas recomendaciones para el soporte nutricional especializado del paciente crítico. Dado el tiempo transcurrido se consideró oportuno la revisión y actualización de dichas recomendaciones, planificándolas como un documento de consenso con la Sociedad Española de Nutrición Parenteral y Enteral (SENPE). El objetivo primario planteado para el establecimiento de las recomendaciones fue evaluar la mejor evidencia científica disponible para las indicaciones del soporte nutricional y metabólico especializado en el paciente crítico. Las recomendaciones se han realizado por un panel de expertos con amplia experiencia en el soporte nutricional y metabólico de los pacientes en situación crítica y se han llevado a cabo entre octubre de 2009 y marzo de 2011. Se analizaron metaanálisis, estudios clínicos aleatorizados y observacionales, revisiones sistemáticas y puestas al día referentes a pacientes críticos en edad adulta en MEDLINE de 1966 a 2010, EMBASE reviews de 1991 a 2010 y Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews hasta 2010. Se seleccionaron los criterios medotodológicos establecidos en la Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network y los de la Agency for Health Care Policy and Research, además de la escala de valoración de la calidad de Jadad, ajustando la gradación de la evidencia y la potencia de las recomendaciones siguiendo la propuesta del Grupo GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group). Se seleccionaron 16 situaciones patológicas que fueron desarrolladas, cada una, por grupos de 3 expertos, estableciéndose un sistema de feedback con los 5 miembros del Comité de Redacción y con la totalidad del Grupo de Trabajo. En diferentes reuniones se discutieron y consensuaron todas las discrepancias, poniéndose especial énfasis en el repaso de los niveles de evidencia y grados de recomendación establecidos. El Comité de Redacción procedió al ajuste final para su presentación y aprobación definitiva por todos los miembros del Grupo de Trabajo. Finalmente, el documento se presentó a los comités científicos de las dos sociedades participantes del consenso para su aprobación definitiva. Las presentes recomendaciones pretenden servir de guía para los clínicos con responsabilidades en el manejo y tratamiento de los pacientes críticos y para todos los especialistas interesados en el tratamiento nutricional del paciente hospitalizado (AU)

The Recommendations for Specialized Nutritional Support in Critically-Ill patients were drafted by the Metabolism and Nutrition Working Group of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC) in 2005. Given the time elapsed since then, these recommendations have been reviewed and updated as a Consensus Document in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SENPE). The primary aim of these Recommendations was to evaluate the best available scientific evidence for the indications of specialized nutritional and metabolic support in critically-ill patients. The Recommendations have been formulated by an expert panel with broad experience in nutritional and metabolic support in critically-ill patients and were drafted between October 2009 and March 2011. The studies analyzed encompassed metaanalyses, randomized clinical trials, observational studies, systematic reviews and updates relating to critically-ill adults in MEDLINE from 1966 to 2010, EMBASE reviews from 1991 to 2010 and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to 2010. The methodological criteria selected were those established in the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and the Agency for Health Care policy and Research, as well as those of the Jadad Quality Scale. Adjustment for the level of evidence and grade of recommendation was performed following the proposal of the GRADE group (Grading of RecommendationsAssessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group). Sixteen pathological scenarios were selected and each of them was developed by groups of three experts. A feedback system was established with the five members of the Editorial Committee and with the entire Working Group. All discrepancies were discussed and consensus was reached over several meetings, with special emphasis placed on reviewing the levels of evidence and grades of recommendation. The Editorial Committee made the final adjustments before the document was approved by all the members of the Working Group. Finally, the document was submitted to the Scientiic Committees of the two Societies participating in the Consensus for final approval. The present Recommedations aim to serve as a guide for clinicians involved in the management and treatment of critically-ill patients and for any specialists interested in the nutritional treatment of hospitalized patients (AU)

Recomendaciones para el soporte nutricional y metabólico especializado del paciente crítico. Actualización. Consenso SEMICYUC-SENPE: Pancreatitis aguda grave / Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically ill-patient. Update. Consensus of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units-Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SEMICYUC-SENPE): Severe acute pancreatitis

La pancreatitis aguda grave es una patología que cursa con complicaciones locales y sistémicas que condicionan una situación de estrés altamente catabólica, hipermetabólica e hiperdinámica con marcada morbimortalidad. En la última década, el soporte nutricional se ha convertido en uno de los puntos clave en el tratamiento de la pancreatitis aguda grave. Así, hay indicación de nutrición especializada desde el ingreso, siendo de elección la nutrición enteral sobre la nutrición parenteral administrada de forma precoz más allá del ligamento de Treitz, para provocar el mínimo estímulo pancreático. No hay estudios específicos que nos aclaren cuál es el tipo de dieta a administrar, pero los expertos recomiendan la utilización de dietas poliméricas. La nutrición parenteral, sin una fórmula concreta, quedaría indicada en los pacientes con pancreatitis aguda grave que presentan intolerancia a la nutrición enteral o cuando se agravan los signos clínicos de pancreatitis al administrar la dieta enteral. Aun así, se recomienda mantener una mínima perfusión de nutrición enteral para preservar el efecto trófico de la mucosa intestinal. En los últimos años se han realizado numerosos trabajos referentes a la administración de dietas inmunomoduladoras en pacientes con pancreatitis aguda grave, con la finalidad de objetivar cambios en su evolución. Sin embargo, hay pocas recomendaciones claras en cuanto a los beneficios pronósticos de la administración de dietas enriquecidas en farmaconutrientes, específicamente en pacientes con pancreatitis aguda grave. Sustentada por una evidencia científica relevante, el aporte de glutamina por vía parenteral en pacientes con pancreatitis aguda grave parece ser la única indicación clara de farmaconutrición en pancreatitis aguda grave recomendando su uso todas las guías de referencia para la práctica clínica con diferentes grados de evidencia (AU)

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) causes local and systemic complications leading to high catabolic, hypermetabolic and hyperdynamic stress states with marked morbidity and mortality. In the last decade, nutritional support has become a key element in the treatment of SAP. Thus, specialized nutrition is indicated from admission, with enteral nutrition being preferred to parenteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition should be initiated early using infusion through the jejunum beyond the ligament of Treitz to minimize pancreatic stress. There are no specific studies that establish the type of diet to be used but experts recommend the use of polymeric diets. Parenteral nutrition, without a specific formula, is indicated in patients with SAP who are intolerant to enteral nutrition or when the clinical signs of pancreatitis are exacerbated or aggravated by enteral nutrition. Even so, a minimal level of enteral infusion should be maintained to preserve the trophic effect of the intestinal mucosa. In the last few years, several studies of the administration of immunomodulatory diets in patients with SAP have been carried out to demonstrate their effects on the course of the disease. However, there are few clear recommendations on the prognostic benefits of pharmaco nutrient enriched diets in these patients. There is substantial scientific evidence suggesting that the only clear indication for pharmaco nutrition in patients with SAP is parenteral glutamine administration, which is recommended by all clinical guidelines with distinct grades of evidence (AU)

Recomendaciones para el soporte nutricional y metabólico especializado del paciente crítico. Actualización. Consenso SEMICYUC-SENPE: Paciente neurocrítico / Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient. Update. Consensus of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units-Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SEMICYUC-SENPE): Neurocritical patient

El enfermo neurocrítico precisa un soporte nutricional especializado debido a su intenso catabolismo y a un prolongado período de ayuno. La vía de administración nutricional preferente es la gastrointestinal, particularmente la vía gástrica, siendo alternativas la vía transpilórica o la nutrición mixta enteral-parenteral en caso de no obtener un volumen nutricional eficaz superior al 60%. El aporte calórico total oscila entre 20-30 kcal/kg/día, según el período de evolución clínica en que se encuentre, con un aporte proteico superior al 20% de las calorías totales (hiperproteico). El inicio del aporte nutricional debe ser precoz. La incidencia de complicaciones gastrointestinales es superior al enfermo crítico en general, siendo el aumento del residuo gástrico el más frecuente. Debe establecerse un estrecho control de la glucemia, manteniéndose por debajo de 150 mg/ dl como en el resto de los enfermos críticos (AU)

Neurocritical patients require specialized nutritional support due to their intense catabolism and prolonged fasting. The preferred route of nutrient administration is the gastrointestinal route, especially the gastric route. Alternatives are the transpyloric route or mixed enteral parenteral nutrition if an effective nutritional volume of more than 60% cannot be obtained. Total calore intake ranges from 20-30 kcal/kg/day, depending on the period of the clinical course, with protein intake higher than 20% of total calories (hyperproteic diet). Nutritional support should be initiated early. The incidence of gastrointestinal complications is generally higher to other critically-ill patients, the most frequent complication being an increase in gastric residual volume. As in other critically-ill patients, glycemia should be closely monitored and maintained below 150 mg/ dL (AU)

[Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient. Update. Consensus of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units-Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SEMICYUC-SENPE): introduction and methodology]. / Recomendaciones para el soporte nutricional y metabólico especializado del paciente crítico. Actualización. Consenso SEMICYUC-SENPE: introducción y metodología.

The Recommendations for Specialized Nutritional Support in Critically-Ill patients were drafted by the Metabolism and Nutrition Working Group of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC) in 2005. Given the time elapsed since then, these recommendations have been reviewed and updated as a Consensus Document in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SENPE). The primary aim of these Recommendations was to evaluate the best available scientific evidence for the indications of specialized nutritional and metabolic support in critically-ill patients. The Recommendations have been formulated by an expert panel with broad experience in nutritional and metabolic support in critically-ill patients and were drafted between October 2009 and March 2011. The studies analyzed encompassed metaanalyses, randomized clinical trials, observational studies, systematic reviews and updates relating to critically-ill adults in MEDLINE from 1966 to 2010, EMBASE reviews from 1991 to 2010 and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to 2010. The methodological criteria selected were those established in the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and the Agency for Health Care policy and Research, as well as those of the Jadad Quality Scale. Adjustment for the level of evidence and grade of recommendation was performed following the proposal of the GRADE group (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group). Sixteen pathological scenarios were selected and each of them was developed by groups of three experts. A feedback system was established with the five members of the Editorial Committee and with the entire Working Group. All discrepancies were discussed and consensus was reached over several meetings, with special emphasis placed on reviewing the levels of evidence and grades of recommendation. The Editorial Committee made the final adjustments before the document was approved by all the members of the Working Group. Finally, the document was submitted to the Scientific Committees of the two Societies participating in the Consensus for final approval. The present Recommendations aim to serve as a guide for clinicians involved in the management and treatment of critically-ill patients and for any specialists interested in the nutritional treatment of hospitalized patients.

[Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically ill-patient. Update. Consensus of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units-Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SEMICYUC-SENPE): severe acute pancreatitis]. / Recomendaciones para el soporte nutricional y metabólico especializado del paciente crítico. Actualización. Consenso SEMICYUC-SENPE: pancreatitis aguda grave.

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) causes local and systemic complications leading to high catabolic, hypermetabolic and hyperdynamic stress states with marked morbidity and mortality. In the last decade, nutritional support has become a key element in the treatment of SAP. Thus, specialized nutrition is indicated from admission, with enteral nutrition being preferred to parenteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition should be initiated early using infusion through the jejunum beyond the ligament of Treitz to minimize pancreatic stress. There are no specific studies that establish the type of diet to be used but experts recommend the use of polymeric diets. Parenteral nutrition, without a specific formula, is indicated in patients with SAP who are intolerant to enteral nutrition or when the clinical signs of pancreatitis are exacerbated or aggravated by enteral nutrition. Even so, a minimal level of enteral infusion should be maintained to preserve the trophic effect of the intestinal mucosa. In the last few years, several studies of the administration of immunomodulatory diets in patients with SAP have been carried out to demonstrate their effects on the course of the disease. However, there are few clear recommendations on the prognostic benefits of pharmaconutrient enriched diets in these patients. There is substantial scientific evidence suggesting that the only clear indication for pharmaconutrition in patients with SAP is parenteral glutamine administration, which is recommended by all clinical guidelines with distinct grades of evidence.

[Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient. Update. Consensus of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units-Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SEMICYUC-SENPE): neurocritical patient]. / Recomendaciones para el soporte nutricional y metabólico especializado del paciente crítico. Actualización. Consenso SEMICYUC-SENPE: paciente neurocrítico.

Neurocritical patients require specialized nutritional support due to their intense catabolism and prolonged fasting. The preferred route of nutrient administration is the gastrointestinal route, especially the gastric route. Alternatives are the transpyloric route or mixed enteral-parenteral nutrition if an effective nutritional volume of more than 60% cannot be obtained. Total calore intake ranges from 20-30 kcal/kg/day, depending on the period of the clinical course, with protein intake higher than 20% of total calories (hyperproteic diet). Nutritional support should be initiated early. The incidence of gastrointestinal complications is generally higher to other critically-ill patients, the most frequent complication being an increase in gastric residual volume. As in other critically-ill patients, glycemia should be closely monitored and maintained below 150 mg/dL.

Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient: update. Consensus SEMICYUC-SENPE: introduction and methodology.

The Recommendations for Specialized Nutritional Support in Critically-Ill patients were drafted by the Metabolism and Nutrition Working Group of the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC) in 2005. Given the time elapsed since then, these recommendations have been reviewed and updated as a Consensus Document in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SENPE). The primary aim of these Recommendations was to evaluate the best available scientific evidence for the indications of specialized nutritional and metabolic support in critically-ill patients. The Recommendations have been formulated by an expert panel with broad experience in nutritional and metabolic support in critically-ill patients and were drafted between October 2009 and March 2011. The studies analyzed encompassed metaanalyses, randomized clinical trials, observational studies, systematic reviews and updates relating to critically-ill adults in MEDLINE from 1966 to 2010, EMBASE reviews from 1991 to 2010 and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews up to 2010. The methodological criteria selected were those established in the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network and the Agency for Health Care policy and Research, as well as those of the Jadad Quality Scale. Adjustment for the level of evidence and grade of recommendation was performed following the proposal of the GRADE group (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation Working Group). Sixteen pathological scenarios were selected and each of them was developed by groups of three experts. A feedback system was established with the five members of the Editorial Committee and with the entire Working Group. All discrepancies were discussed and consensus was reached over several meetings, with special emphasis placed on reviewing the levels of evidence and grades of recommendation. The Editorial Committee made the final adjustments before the document was approved by all the members of the Working Group. Finally, the document was submitted to the Scientific Committees of the two Societies participating in the Consensus for final approval. The present Recommendations aim to serve as a guide for clinicians involved in the management and treatment of critically-ill patients and for any specialists interested in the nutritional treatment of hospitalized patients.

Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient: update. Consensus SEMICYUC-SENPE: severe acute pancreatitis.

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) causes local and systemic complications leading to high catabolic, hypermetabolic and hyperdynamic stress states with marked morbidity and mortality. In the last decade, nutritional support has become a key element in the treatment of SAP. Thus, specialized nutrition is indicated from admission, with enteral nutrition being preferred to parenteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition should be initiated early using infusion through the jejunum beyond the ligament of Treitz to minimize pancreatic stress. There are no specific studies that establish the type of diet to be used but experts recommend the use of polymeric diets. Parenteral nutrition, without a specific formula, is indicated in patients with SAP who are intolerant to enteral nutrition or when the clinical signs of pancreatitis are exacerbated or aggravated by enteral nutrition. Even so, a minimal level of enteral infusion should be maintained to preserve the trophic effect of the intestinal mucosa. In the last few years, several studies of the administration of immunomodulatory diets in patients with SAP have been carried out to demonstrate their effects on the course of the disease. However, there are few clear recommendations on the prognostic benefits of pharmaconutrient enriched diets in these patients. There is substantial scientific evidence suggesting that the only clear indication for pharmaconutrition in patients with SAP is parenteral glutamine administration, which is recommended by all clinical guidelines with distinct grades of evidence.

Guidelines for specialized nutritional and metabolic support in the critically-ill patient: update. Consensus SEMICYUC-SENPE: neurocritical patient.

Neurocritical patients require specialized nutritional support due to their intense catabolism and prolonged fasting. The preferred route of nutrient administration is the gastrointestinal route, especially the gastric route. Alternatives are the transpyloric route or mixed enteral-parenteral nutrition if an effective nutritional volume of more than 60% cannot be obtained. Total calorie intake ranges from 20-30 kcal/kg/day, depending on the period of the clinical course, with protein intake higher than 20% of total calories (hyperproteic diet). Nutritional support should be initiated early. The incidence of gastrointestinal complications is generally higher to other critically-ill patients, the most frequent complication being an increase in gastric residual volume. As in other critically-ill patients, glycemia should be closely monitored and maintained below 150 mg/dL.

[Clinical importance of bacterial translocation]. / Importancia clínica de la translocación bacteriana.

The gastrointestinal tract is colonized by a huge number of microorganisms that we call intestinal flora. Although the bowel provides a functional barrier between these organisms and the host, bacterial translocation is not an infrequent event in healthy people. However, in critically ill patients, carriers of different morbid entities, bacterial translocation may favor infections and increased morbimortality. There are several proposed mechanisms explaining the etiology, genesis, and ways for this entity, and frequently the results from both in vitro and animal experimental investigations are controversial and difficult to apply to humans. Many diseases have been linked or are implicated in the translocation phenomenon, although studies with insufficient methodology, reduced populations, and conflicting results still leave open questions and others with no logical answer. This problem is also reflected when studying and assessing different therapeutic strategies used as well as on the methods used to detect translocation.

Importancia clínica de la translocación bacteriana / Clinical importance of bacterial translocation

El tracto gastrointestinal está colonizado por una inmensa cantidad de microorganismos, a los que denominamos flora intestinal. Aunque el intestino proporciona una barrera funcional entre estos organismos y el huésped, la traslocación bacteriana no es un evento infrecuente entre las personas sanas. Sin embrago, en los pacientes críticamente enfermos, que son portadores de diferentes entidades nosológicas, la translocación bacteriana puede condicionar infecciones e incrementos en la morbi-mortalidad. Varios son los mecanismos propuestos para explicar la etiología, génesis y vías de esta entidad y, frecuentemente, los resultados de las investigaciones realizadas tanto in vitro como en animales de experimentación son controvertidos y de difícil aplicación a los humanos. Muchas enfermedades se han relacionado o están implicadas en el fenómeno de translocación pero desgraciadamente el sumatorio de estudios metodológicamente insuficientes, poblaciones reducidas y resultados conflictivos dejan, hoy en día, muchas preguntas abiertas y otras sin respuesta lógica. Esta problemática también se refleja a la hora de estudiar y valorar las diferentes estrategias terapéuticas utilizadas así como los métodos empleados para detectar la traslocación

The gastrointestinal tract is colonized by a huge number of microorganisms that we call intestinal flora. Although the bowel provides a functional barrier between these organisms and the host, bacterial translocation is not an infrequent event in healthy people. However, in critically ill patients, carriers of different morbid entities, bacterial translocation may favor infections and increased morbimortality. There are several proposed mechanisms explaining the etiology, genesis, and ways for this entity, and frequently the results from both in vitro and animal experimental investigations are controversial and difficult to apply to humans. Many diseases have been linked or are implicated in the translocation phenomenon, although studies with insufficient methodology, reduced populations, and conflicting results still leave open questions and others with no logical answer. This problem is also reflected when studying and assessing different therapeutic strategies used as well as on the methods used to detect translocation

[Recommendations for nutritional assessment and specialized nutritional support of critically ill patients]. / Recomendaciones para la valoración nutricional y el soporte nutricional especializado de los pacientes críticos.

Due to the characteristics of critically ill patients, elaborating recommendations on nutritional support for these patients is difficult. Usually the time of onset of nutritional support or its features are not well established, so that its application is based on experts' opinion. In the present document, recommendations formulated by the Metabolism and Nutrition Working Group of the Spanish Society of Intensive and Critical Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC) are presented. Recommendations are based on the literature analysis and further discussion by the working group members in order to define, consensually, the more relevant issues of metabolic and nutritional support of patients in a critical condition. Several clinical situations have been considered which are developed in the following articles of this publication. The present recommendations aim at providing a guideline for the less experienced clinicians when considering the metabolic and nutritional issues of critically ill patients.

[Nutritional assessment of the severely ill patient]. / Valoración del estado nutricional en el paciente grave.

There are different parameters aimed at assessing nutritional status. These parameters may be of some help to assess nutritional status prior to patients' admission. However, their application in the critically ill patient is troublesome since results interpretation is interfered by changes originated by the acute disease or treatment measures. This is particularly true in relation to anthropometrical variables that are severely affected by changes in water distribution in the critical patient. Biochemical markers (creatinine/height index, serum albumin, etc.) are also interfered as a result of the metabolic changes that modify the synthesis and degradation processes. Short half-life proteins (prealbumin, retinol-bound protein) are not indicative of the nutritional status although they do inform about an appropriate response to nutrients intake and concurrence of new conditions of metabolic stress. Functional assessment parameters, such as muscular function test, are also difficult to apply in a great number of patients. Subjective global assessment, although it requires some degree of expertise, may be an appropriate tool. Some theoretically more accurate methods, such as bioelectrical impedance, need further investigation in these patients before being recommended.

[Nutritional support in polytraumatized patients]. / Nutrición artificial en el paciente politraumatizado.

Polytraumatism usually presents in previously healthy patients with a good nutritional status. However, metabolic changes derived from the traumatic injury put these patients in a nutritional risk situation. Specialized nutritional support should be started if it is foreseeable that nutritional requirements will not be met p.o. within the 5-10 days period from admission. Enteral nutrition should be the first route to consider for nutrients intake. However, the presence of head trauma leads to gastrointestinal motility impairments that hinder tolerance to enteral nutrition. Patients with abdominal trauma also present difficulties for the onset and tolerance of enteral diet. The insertion of transpyloric tubes or jejunostomy catheters allows early use of enteral nutrition in these patients.