Is α-Amylase an Important Biomarker to Detect Aspiration of Oral Secretions in Ventilated Patients?
Crit Care Explor
; 2(7): e0159, 2020 Jul.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32766556
ABSTRACT
Alpha-amylase has emerged as a biomarker of interest in detecting aspiration of oral secretions. In several studies, most ventilated patients have α-amylase values detected in pulmonary secretions. Values of α-amylase are high (as expected) in oral secretions and lowest in bronchoalveolar lavage samples. Around 5-7% of oral α-amylase is detectable in tracheal secretions. Once secretions are aspirated, the duration of detection of α-amylase in pulmonary secretions is unknown. Evidence varies on the relationship between α-amylase and clinical outcomes. Although detection of α-amylase in pulmonary secretions is useful to identify that aspiration has occurred, the lack of standardized reference values, the lack of knowledge regarding duration of detection following aspiration, and mixed findings related to clinical outcomes, limit its usefulness as a measurement tool. If α-amylase is to be used in research and/or clinical practice, additional data are needed to assist in interpretation and application of findings.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Language:
En
Journal:
Crit Care Explor
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article