Diabetes-specific enteral nutrition formula in hyperglycemic, mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients: a prospective, open-label, blind-randomized, multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Although standard enteral nutrition is universally accepted, the use of disease-specific formulas for hyperglycemic patients is still controversial. This study examines whether a high-protein diabetes-specific formula reduces insulin needs, improves glycemic control and reduces ICU-acquired infection in critically ill, hyperglycemic patients on mechanical ventilation (MV). METHODS: This was a prospective, open-label, randomized (web-based, blinded) study conducted at nine Spanish ICUs. The patient groups established according to the high-protein formula received were: group A, new-generation diabetes-specific formula; group B, standard control formula; group C, control diabetes-specific formula. Inclusion criteria were: expected enteral nutrition ≥5 days, MV, baseline glucose >126 mg/dL on admission or >200 mg/dL in the first 48 h. Exclusion criteria were: APACHE II ≤10, insulin-dependent diabetes, renal or hepatic failure, treatment with corticosteroids, immunosuppressants or lipid-lowering drugs and body mass index ≥40 kg/m(2). The targeted glucose level was 110-150 mg/dL. Glycemic variability was calculated as the standard deviation, glycemic lability index and coefficient of variation. Acquired infections were recorded using published consensus criteria for critically ill patients. Data analysis was on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: Over a 2-year period, 157 patients were consecutively enrolled (A 52, B 53 and C 52). Compared with the standard control formula, the new formula gave rise to lower insulin requirement (19.1 ± 13.1 vs. 23.7 ± 40.1 IU/day, p <0.05), plasma glucose (138.6 ± 39.1 vs. 146.1 ± 49.9 mg/dL, p <0.01) and capillary blood glucose (146.1 ± 45.8 vs. 155.3 ± 63.6 mg/dL, p <0.001). Compared with the control diabetes-specific formula, only capillary glucose levels were significantly reduced (146.1 ± 45.8 vs. 150.1 ± 41.9, p <0.01). Both specific formulas reduced capillary glucose on ICU day 1 (p <0.01), glucose variability in the first week (p <0.05), and incidences of ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (p <0.01) or pneumonia (p <0.05) compared with the standard formula. No effects of the nutrition formula were produced on hospital stay or mortality. CONCLUSIONS: In these high-risk ICU patients, both diabetes-specific formulas lowered insulin requirements, improved glycemic control and reduced the risk of acquired infections relative to the standard formula. Compared with the control-specific formula, the new-generation formula also improved capillary glycemia. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT1233726 .

Influence of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids enriched lipid emulsions on nosocomial infections and clinical outcomes in critically ill patients: ICU lipids study.

OBJECTIVE: n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (contained in fish oil) have been shown to beneficially influence infection rate and clinical outcomes in surgical patients probably due to their immunomodulatory action. In contrast, study results of fish oil administration in critically ill patients are controversial. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on the prevalence of nosocomial infections and clinical outcomes in medical and surgical critically ill patients. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, randomized, comparative, double-blind study. SETTING: Seventeen Spanish ICUs during 4 years. SUBJECTS: A total of 159 medical and surgical intensive care patients with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score more than or equal to 13, expected to require total parenteral nutrition for at least 5 days. INTERVENTIONS: Patients received total parenteral nutrition prepared either with a lipid emulsion containing 10% fish oil or a fish oil-free lipid emulsion. The prevalence of nosocomial infections was detected during 28 days of ICU stay. Patients were followed 6 months after discharge from the ICU for length of hospital stay, hospital mortality, and 6-month mortality. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The number of patients with nosocomial infections was significantly reduced in the fish oil-receiving group (21.0% vs 37.2%, p = 0.035) and the predicted time free of infection was prolonged (21 ± 2 vs 16 ± 2 d, p = 0.03). No significant differences were detected for ICU, hospital, and 6-month mortality. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that administration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids reduces the risk of nosocomial infections and increases the predicted time free of infections in critically ill medical and surgical patients. The administration of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was safe and well tolerated.

[The metoclopramide effect on enteral nutrition tolerance and mechanical ventilation associated pneumonia in neuro critically ill patients]. / Efecto de la metoclopramida sobre la tolerancia enteral y la neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica en pacientes neurocríticos.

INTRODUCTION: The use of procinéticos in the critical patient with nutrition enteral, they have as aim reduce the increase of the gastric residue (RG). We evaluate his efficiency in the improvement of the intake enteral and on the reduction in the incident gastrointestinal complications (CGI) and pneumonia, in critical patients, with neurological injury Aims: To evaluate the effects in the administration metoclopramide (MCG), during the first five days with enteral nutrition, versus control (GC), on the volume of administered diet, gastrointestinal complications and the incidence of mechanical ventilation associated pneumonia (NAVM), in neuro-critically patients (NC) of traumatic and vascular aetiology. Prospective, closed-label, randomized study performed in an intensive Care Unit. Methords: 150 adult neuro-critical patients (NC) were admitted of consecutive form and 109 were randomly and two groups 58 MCG y 51 GC. The primary outcomes was the nutritional: the volume of administered diet (VAD); mean efficacious volume (MEV) measured in three consecutive periods of time; the gastrointestinal complications (GIC), and the rate of partial and definitive suspension of the diet. Infecction: incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia NAVM; and of secondary outcomes were: the duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU and hospital stay, and incidence the serious sequelae, and 30 days mortality. RESULTS: Differences were not observed in the severity variables between groups on admission. A significant increase was observed in the global values and in the first five days of (p < 0.03) of the VEM in the group of MCG. The values of the global VDA and during three phases of study, the number CGI, the rate of partial and definitive suspensions of the diet, and number of NAVM, were similar in both not significant groups. Neither differences were observed in the overall analysis secondary variables. CONCLUSIONS: The metoclopramida in the NC, it is not effective in the decrease of the CGI, in the doses and time of treatment reflected in the study.

Introducción: El uso de procinéticos en el paciente crítico con nutrición enteral, tienen como objetivo el reducir el aumento del residuo gástrico (RG). Analizamos su eficacia en la mejoría del aporte enteral y sobre la reducción en la incidencia complicaciones gastrointestinales (CGI) y neumonía, en pacientes críticos, con lesión neurológica Objetivos: Medir los efectos en la administración metoclopramida (MCG) durante los primeros cinco días con nutrición enteral, versus control (GC), sobre el volumen de dieta enteral administrada, el número de complicaciones gastrointestinales y la incidencia de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM); en enfermos neurocríticos de etiología traumática y vascular. Métodos: De los 150 pacientes NC ingresados de forma consecutiva, 109 fueron aleatorizados en dos grupos: 58 MCG y 51 GC. Los objetivos primarios fueron: nutricionales: el volumen de dieta administrada (VDA), el volumen eficaz (VEM), el número de complicaciones gastrointestinales (CGI) y la tasa de suspensión temporal y definitiva de la dieta. Infecciosos: incidencia de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM). Fueron objetivos secundarios: la duración de la ventilación mecánica, la estancia en UCI y hospitalaria, la secuela neurológica grave al alta y la mortalidad a los 30 días. Resultados: No se observaron diferencias en los parámetros de gravedad entre grupos al ingreso. Un incremento significativo fue observado en el análisis global y a los cinco días (p < 0,03) del VEM en el grupo de MCG. Los valores del VDA global y durante las dos fases de estudio, el número de CGI y el número de suspensiones parciales y definitivas de la dieta o el número de NAVM fueron similares en ambos grupos, no significativos. Tampoco se observaron diferencias en los diferentes objetivos secundarios Conclusión: El uso de metoclopramida en el enfermo neurocrítico, no es eficaz en la disminución de las CGI, en las dosis y tiempo de tratamiento reflejados en el estudio.

Efecto de la metoclopramida sobre la tolerancia enteral y la neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica en pacientes neurocríticos / The metoclopramide effect on enteral nutrition tolerance and mechanical ventilation associated pneumonia in neuro critically ill patients

Introducción: El uso de procinéticos en el paciente crítico con nutrición enteral, tienen como objetivo el reducir el aumento del residuo gástrico (RG). Analizamos su eficacia en la mejoría del aporte enteral y sobre la reducción en la incidencia complicaciones gastrointestinales (CGI) y neumonía, en pacientes críticos, con lesión neurológica Objetivos: Medir los efectos en la administración metoclopramida (MCG) durante los primeros cinco días con nutrición enteral, versus control (GC), sobre el volumen de dieta enteral administrada, el número de complicaciones gastrointestinales y la incidencia de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM); en enfermos neurocríticos de etiología traumática y vascular. Métodos: De los 150 pacientes NC ingresados de forma consecutiva, 109 fueron aleatorizados en dos grupos: 58 MCG y 51 GC. Los objetivos primarios fueron: nutricionales: el volumen de dieta administrada (VDA), el volumen eficaz (VEM), el número de complicaciones gastrointestinales (CGI) y la tasa de suspensión temporal y definitiva de la dieta. Infecciosos: incidencia de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM). Fueron objetivos secundarios: la duración de la ventilación mecánica, la estancia en UCI y hospitalaria, la secuela neurológica grave al alta y la mortalidad a los 30 días. Resultados: No se observaron diferencias en los parámetros de gravedad entre grupos al ingreso. Un incremento significativo fue observado en el análisis global y a los cinco días (p < 0,03) del VEM en el grupo de MCG. Los valores del VDA global y durante las dos fases de estudio, el número de CGI y el número de suspensiones parciales y definitivas de la dieta o el número de NAVM fueron similares en ambos grupos, no significativos. Tampoco se observaron diferencias en los diferentes objetivos secundarios Conclusión: El uso de metoclopramida en el enfermo neurocrítico, no es eficaz en la disminución de las CGI, en las dosis y tiempo de tratamiento reflejados en el estudio (AU)

Introduction: The use of procinéticos in the critical patient with nutrition enteral, they have as aim reduce the increase of the gastric residue (RG). We evaluate his efficiency in the improvement of the intake enteral and on the reduction in the incident gastrointestinal complications (CGI) and pneumonia, in critical patients, with neurological injury Aims: To evaluate the effects in the administration metoclopramide (MCG), during the first five days with enteral nutrition, versus control (GC), on the volume of administered diet, gastrointestinal complications and the incidence of mechanical ventilation associated pneumonia (NAVM), in neuro-critically patients (NC) of traumatic and vascular aetiology. Prospective, closed-label, randomized study performed in an intensive Care Unit. Methods: 150 adult neuro-critical patients (NC) were admitted of consecutive form and 109 were randomly and two groups 58 MCG y 51 GC. The primary outcomes was the nutritional: the volume of administered diet (VAD); mean efficacious volume (MEV) measured in three consecutive periods of time; the gastrointestinal complications (GIC), and the rate of partial and definitive suspension of the diet. Infecction: incidence of ventilator associated pneumonia NAVM; and of secondary outcomes were: the duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU and hospital stay, and incidence the serious sequelae, and 30 days mortality. Results: Differences were not observed in the severity variables between groups on admission. A significant increase was observed in the global values and in the first five days of (p < 0.03) of the VEM in the group of MCG. The values of the global VDA and during three phases of study, the number CGI, the rate of partial and definitive suspensions of the diet, and number of NAVM, were similar in both not significant groups. Neither differences were observed in the overall analysis secondary variables. Conclusions: The metoclopramida in the NC, it is not effective in the decrease of the CGI, in the doses and time of treatment reflected in the study (AU)

[Management of parenteral nutrition in intensive care units in Spain]. / Manejo de la nutrición parenteral en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos en España.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: some relevant aspects related to parenteral nutrition in the Spanish ICUs are still unclear. These aspects include: caloric and protein intake, total volume, glycemic control, the type of lipid emulsion used or the comparison of different formulations. Our objective is to know the clinical practice patterns of artificial nutrition therapeutics, particularly of parenteral nutrition in the Spanish ICUs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: twelve representative ICU's participated in a nutrition survey from January to March 2012. The survey was divided in two sections: A) Management of artificial nutritional support in critically ill patients and B) Assessment of a new parenteral nutrition formulation adapted to critically ill patients. The following information was collected: percentage of patients receiving artificial nutrition; availability of enteral formulations; types of lipid emulsions; calories, amino acids and lipids supplied; addition of glutamine, vitamins and trace elements; management of volume and hyperglycemia; and comparative data between patients receiving the new formulation vs. standard formulations: glycemic control, assessment of hepatic function and infectious complications as well as the intake of total calories, proteins, volume and insulin supplied. RESULTS: The average number of hospital beds and ICU beds is 780 and 25 respectively; the average number of patients admitted in the ICU is 950 per year. 49% were medical patients, 31% surgical patients and 20% trauma patients. 59.75% of patients required artificial nutrition (AN), of which, 58.7% required enteral nutrition (EN), 16% total parenteral nutrition (TPN); and 25.3% suplementary parenteral nutrition (SPN). When EN was contraindicated, 83.3% of patients were started on early TPN (24 hours) and if EN was not sufficient, 66.7% were started on SPN within 48 hours. Regarding prescribers usual practice, 50% tried to reduce volume of PN and 100% of them had an insulin infusion protocol. 39% of prescribers recommended high-protein, low-volume and low-glucose TPN; 42% prescribe TPN with SMOF (soybean, MCT, olive and fish oil); and 33% with OOBE (olive oil based emulsion) as lipid emulsion. 92% added glutamine. 60% considered that the new formulation may be indicated for sepsis, trauma, burn patients and MOF (multiple organ failure) and the 30% would use it as a routine therapy at the time of admission. 40% considered that insulin requirements were reduced; 50% claimed better volume management and 60% highlighted the protein/volume ratio. Attending to patient outcome, patients receiving the specific formulation have less affected hepatic function, higher protein intake and lower volume infusion but no significant differences were observed and they required less insulin dosage (p = 0.07). CONCLUSIONS: In the twelve ICUs included in the survey, the clinical practice patterns related to parenteral nutrition management are adapted to the guidelines of scientific societies such as the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC), the Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SENPE) and the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN). The new formulations designed for critically ill patients may be indicated for these conditions.

Introducción y objetivos: No se sabe con exactitud aspectos de relevancia en nutrición parenteral como aportes calórico-proteicos, volumen total, control de glucemia, tipo de emulsión lipídica o comparación de diferentes fórmulas, en las UCIs españolas. Planteamos como objetivo conocer los patrones de práctica clínica habitual en la terapéutica con nutrición artificial, fundamentalmente parenteral, en dichas UCIs. Material y métodos: Participaron doce UCIs representativas, de enero a marzo de dos mil doce, para la realización de una encuesta nutricional. La encuesta se dividió en dos apartados : A) Manejo del soporte nutricional artificial en el paciente grave y B) Valoración de una nueva fórmula de nutrición parenteral adaptada al paciente grave. Se recogió: porcentaje de pacientes con nutrición artificial; disponibilidad de fórmulas enterales; tipos de emulsiones lipídicas; calorías, aminoácidos y lípidos aportados; adición de glutamina, vitaminas y oligoelementos; manejo del volumen y de la hiperglucemia y datos comparativos de pacientes con la nueva formulación frente a fórmulas de uso habitual: control glucémico, afectación hepática y complicaciones infecciosas, así como aportes de calorías totales, proteínas, volumen e insulina administrada. Resultados: La media de camas hospitalarias es de 780 y de UCI de 25, con una media de ingresos de 950 pacientes/año. Un 49% son pacientes médicos, 31% quirúrgicos y 20% traumatológicos. El 59,75% precisaron nutrición artificial (NA). De ellos, 58,7% nutrición enteral (NE), 16% nutrición parenteral total (NPT) y 25,3% nutrición parenteral complementaria (NPC). Ante NE contraindicada, el 83,3% inicia NPT precoz (24 horas) y ante NE insuficiente el 66,7% inicia NPC en 48 horas. En relación con la práctica habitual de los prescriptores, un 50% intenta reducción de volumen y el 100% dispone de protocolo de infusión de insulina. Un 39% recomiendan NPT hiperproteica, baja en volumen y en glucosa, el 42% con SMOF (Soja, MCT, Oliva, Pescado) y el 33% con EBAO (Emulsiones Basadas en Aceite de Oliva) como emulsión lipídica. El 92% adiciona glutamina. Un 60% considera que la nueva fórmula puede estar indicada en sepsis, trauma, quemados y FMO (Fracaso Multiorgánico) y un 30% la utilizaría de rutina al ingreso. Un 40% considera que disminuye las necesidades de insulina, 50% un mejor manejo del volumen y un 60% destaca la relación proteínas/volumen. Evolutivamente, los pacientes con fórmula específica tienen menor afectación hepática, mayor aporte proteico y menor aporte de volumen, sin diferencias significativas, y precisaron menos dosis de insulina (p = 0,07). Conclusiones: En las doce UCIs seleccionadas, los patrones de práctica clínica en el manejo de la nutrición parenteral se adaptan a las recomendaciones de sociedades científicas como la Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva, Crítica y Unidades Coronarias (SEMICYUC), Sociedad Española de Nutrición Parenteral y Enteral (SENPE) y European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN). Las nuevas fórmulas diseñadas para el paciente grave pueden tener indicaciones en estas patologías.

Manejo de la nutrición parenteral en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos en España / Management of parenteral nutrition in intensive care units in Spain

Introducción y objetivos: No se sabe con exactitud aspectos de relevancia en nutrición parenteral como aportes calórico-proteicos, volumen total, control de glucemia, tipo de emulsión lipídica o comparación de diferentes fórmulas, en las UCIs españolas. Planteamos como objetivo conocer los patrones de práctica clínica habitual en la terapéutica con nutrición artificial, fundamentalmente parenteral, en dichas UCIs. Material y métodos: Participaron doce UCIs representativas, de enero a marzo de dos mil doce, para la realización de una encuesta nutricional. La encuesta se dividió en dos apartados : A) Manejo del soporte nutricional artificial en el paciente grave y B) Valoración de una nueva fórmula de nutrición parenteral adaptada al paciente grave. Se recogió: porcentaje de pacientes con nutrición artificial; disponibilidad de fórmulas enterales; tipos de emulsiones lipídicas; calorías, aminoácidos y lípidos aportados; adición de glutamina, vitaminas y oligoelementos; manejo del volumen y de la hiperglucemia y datos comparativos de pacientes con la nueva formulación frente a fórmulas de uso habitual: control glucémico, afectación hepática y complicaciones infecciosas, así como aportes de calorías totales, proteínas, volumen e insulina administrada. Resultados: La media de camas hospitalarias es de 780 y de UCI de 25, con una media de ingresos de 950 pacientes/año. Un 49% son pacientes médicos, 31% quirúrgicos y 20% traumatológicos. El 59,75% precisaron nutrición artificial (NA). De ellos, 58,7% nutrición enteral (NE), 16% nutrición parenteral total (NPT) y 25,3% nutrición parenteral complementaria (NPC). Ante NE contraindicada, el 83,3% inicia NPT precoz (24 horas) y ante NE insuficiente el 66,7% inicia NPC en 48 horas. En relación con la práctica habitual de los prescriptores, un 50% intenta reducción de volumen y el 100% dispone de protocolo de infusión de insulina. Un 39% recomiendan NPT hiperproteica, baja en volumen y en glucosa, el 42% con SMOF (Soja, MCT, Oliva, Pescado) y el 33% con EBAO (Emulsiones Basadas en Aceite de Oliva) como emulsión lipídica. El 92% adiciona glutamina. Un 60% considera que la nueva fórmula puede estar indicada en sepsis, trauma, quemados y FMO (Fracaso Multiorgánico) y un 30% la utilizaría de rutina al ingreso. Un 40% considera que disminuye las necesidades de insulina, 50% un mejor manejo del volumen y un 60% destaca la relación proteínas/volumen. Evolutivamente, los pacientes con fórmula específica tienen menor afectación hepática, mayor aporte proteico y menor aporte de volumen, sin diferencias significativas, y precisaron menos dosis de insulina (p = 0,07). Conclusiones: En las doce UCIs seleccionadas, los patrones de práctica clínica en el manejo de la nutrición parenteral se adaptan a las recomendaciones de sociedades científicas como la Sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva, Crítica y Unidades Coronarias (SEMICYUC), Sociedad Española de Nutrición Parenteral y Enteral (SENPE) y European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN). Las nuevas fórmulas diseñadas para el paciente grave pueden tener indicaciones en estas patologías (AU)

Introduction and objectives: some relevant aspects related to parenteral nutrition in the Spanish ICUs are still unclear. These aspects include: caloric and protein intake, total volume, glycemic control, the type of lipid emulsion used or the comparison of different formulations. Our objective is to know the clinical practice patterns of artificial nutrition therapeutics, particularly of parenteral nutrition in the Spanish ICUs. Material and methods: twelve representative ICU's participated in a nutrition survey from January to March 2012. The survey was divided in two sections: A) Management of artificial nutritional support in critically ill patients and B) Assessment of a new parenteral nutrition formulation adapted to critically ill patients. The following information was collected: percentage of patients receiving artificial nutrition; availability of enteral formulations; types of lipid emulsions; calories, amino acids and lipids supplied; addition of glutamine, vitamins and trace elements; management of volume and hyperglycemia; and comparative data between patients receiving the new formulation vs. standard formulations: glycemic control, assessment of hepatic function and infectious complications as well as the intake of total calories, proteins, volume and insulin supplied. Results: The average number of hospital beds and ICU beds is 780 and 25 respectively; the average number of patients admitted in the ICU is 950 per year. 49% were medical patients, 31% surgical patients and 20% trauma patients. 59.75% of patients required artificial nutrition (AN), of which, 58.7% required enteral nutrition (EN), 16% total parenteral nutrition (TPN); and 25.3% suplementary parenteral nutrition (SPN). When EN was contraindicated, 83.3% of patients were started on early TPN (24 hours) and if EN was not sufficient, 66.7% were started on SPN within 48 hours. Regarding prescribers usual practice, 50% tried to reduce volume of PN and 100% of them had an insulin infusion protocol. 39% of prescribers recommended high-protein, low-volume and low-glucose TPN; 42% prescribe TPN with SMOF (soybean, MCT, olive and fish oil); and 33% with OOBE (olive oil based emulsion) as lipid emulsion. 92% added glutamine. 60% considered that the new formulation may be indicated for sepsis, trauma, burn patients and MOF (multiple organ failure) and the 30% would use it as a routine therapy at the time of admission. 40% considered that insulin requirements were reduced; 50% claimed better volume management and 60% highlighted the protein/volume ratio. Attending to patient outcome, patients receiving the specific formulation have less affected hepatic function, higher protein intake and lower volume infusion but no significant differences were observed and they required less insulin dosage (p = 0.07). Conclusions: In the twelve ICUs included in the survey, the clinical practice patterns related to parenteral nutrition management are adapted to the guidelines of scientific societies such as the Spanish Society of Intensive Care Medicine and Coronary Units (SEMICYUC), the Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (SENPE) and the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN). The new formulations designed for critically ill patients may be indicated for these conditions (AU)

Gastric versus transpyloric feeding in severe traumatic brain injury: a prospective, randomized trial.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of transpyloric feeding (TPF) compared with gastric feeding (GF) with regard to the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia in severe traumatic brain injury patients (TBI). DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospective, open-label, randomized study in an intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: One hundred and four CHI adult patients admitted for TBI between April 2007 and December 2008. Patients were included within the first 24 h after ICU admission and were followed until discharge or 30 days after admission. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to TPF or GF groups. They received the same diet, with 25 kcal kg(-1) day(-1) of calculated energy requirements and a nitrogen intake of 0.2 g N kg(-1) day(-1). Primary outcome was the incidence of early and ventilatory-associated pneumonia. Secondary outcomes were enteral nutrition-related gastrointestinal complications (GIC), days on mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay and hospital stay, and sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA). RESULTS: The TPF group had a lower incidence of pneumonia, OR 0.3 (95% CI 0.1-0.7, P = 0.01). There were no significant differences in other nosocomial infections. The TPF group received higher amounts of diet compared to the GF group (92 vs. 84%, P < 0.01) and had lesser incidence of increased gastric residuals, OR 0.2 (95% CI 0.04-0.6, P = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: Enteral nutrition delivered through the transpyloric route reduces the incidence of overall and late pneumonia and improves nutritional efficacy in severe TBI patients.

Noninvasive pressure support versus proportional assist ventilation in acute respiratory failure.

BACKGROUND: Although conventional pressure ventilation (PSV) decreases the rate of intubation in acute respiratory failure, patient-ventilator dyssynchrony is a frequent cause of failure. In proportional assist ventilation (PAV), pressure is applied by the ventilator in proportion to the patient-generated volume and flow; therefore, there is automatic synchrony between the patient's effort and the ventilatory cycle. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the effects of PSV and PAV during noninvasive ventilation in the treatment of acute respiratory failure. DESIGN: Prospective randomised study. SETTING: A multidisciplinary 24-bed intensive care unit of an acute-care teaching hospital in Alicante, Spain. PATIENTS. This study included 117 consecutive adult patients with acute respiratory failure randomised to noninvasive ventilation delivered by PSV ( n = 59) or PAV ( n = 58). MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between patients assigned to each mode of ventilation with regard to baseline parameters and aetiological diagnoses of acute respiratory failure. With regard to outcome data, no significant differences were observed between PSV and PAV in the frequency of intubation (37% vs 34%), mortality rate (29% vs 28%), and mean length of stay. Subjective comfort (0-10 visual analogue scale) was rated higher and intolerance occurred less frequently (3.4% vs 15%, P = 0.03) in the PAV than in the PSV mode. CONCLUSIONS: Although PAV seems more comfortable and intolerance occurred less frequently, no major differences exist in terms of physiological improvement or in terms of outcomes when comparing PSV and PAV.