The effect of protein enriched nutrition on diaphragm function in mechanically ventilated patients

Abstract

ObjectivesOur primary aim was to demonstrate the effect of high protein on diaphragm muscle thickness, our secondary aim was to evaluate the correlation of diaphragm thickness fraction with rectus femoris muscle thickness in high protein patients. Patients and methodsThis study included 49 mechanically ventilated patients who were randomly divided into a standard protein (1.2g/kg/d) group and high protein group (2.0g/kg/d). Thickness of rectus femoris, thickness of peak inspiratory diaphragm, thickness of end expiratory diaphragm were measured by ultrasonography. Thickness fraction of diaphragm was calculated. ResultsIn the high protein group, thickness of peak inspiratory diaphragm values were found to be statistically significantly higher on days 3rd, 5th, 7th, and 15th (P<0.05). Thicknesses of end-expiratory diaphragm values were found to be statistically significantly higher on the 3rd, 5th and 7th days (P<0.05). Thicknesses fraction of diaphragm values were found to be statistically significantly higher on days 3rd, 5th, 7th and 15th (P<0.05) in the high protein group. Thicknesses of rectus femoris values were higher in the high protein group compared with standard protein group on the 5th, 7th, and 15th days (P<0.005). In high protein group, statistically significant correlations were found between thickness of rectus femoris and thickness fraction of diaphragm at the 3rd day (rho=0.429, P=0.032). ConclusionThis study showed that diaphragmatic muscle thicknesses were higher in patients who received 2g/kg/d protein supplement, These findings have shown that muscle atrophy can be prevented with high protein support in the intensive care unit.