Acute gut mucosa damage: pathophysiology and management

Abstract

Acute gut injury is a common clinical condition in critically ill patients. It is often related to severe hemorrhage, sepsis, shock and IAH. Gut plays an important role in the development of subsequent damage to organs. Gastrointestinal mucosa is a first-line barrier between internal and external environment of the human body, and it primarily fails at the expense of mucosal damage during resuscitation. Better understanding of underlying pathophysiological processes in the development of shock, intestinal mucosal damage and multiple organ dysfunction will contribute to the optimal management of shock and maintain the function of the gut barrier. Key words: Intensive care; Shock; Intestinal mucosa; Gastrointestinal tract