Combination Of Enteral Nutrition Research Articles

Nursing Management of Abdominal Wound Dehiscence of an Infant With Severe Undernutrition and Peristomal Moisture-Associated Dermatitis After Ileostomy Closure: A Case Study.

Abdominal wound dehiscence (AWD) is a costly postoperative complication; its management is particularly challenging for WOC nurses when it occurs secondary to an ostomy closure. We present a case of AWD secondary to ileostomy closure in Baby Q, a 9-month 19-day-old female infant. A silver wound contact dressing was used on her dehisced wound followed by negative pressure wound therapy and adhesive tape to pull the wound edge together and promote granulation. We used a combination of enteral nutrition, parenteral nutrition, total parenteral nutrition, and total enteral nutrition adjusting the feeding plan stepwise according to her nutritional status. Malnutrition and severe peristomal skin complications may contribute to the risk of AWD in infants undergoing reversal of a temporary ostomy. Assessing and treating nutritional status and peristomal skin is imperative before performing ostomy closure.

Nutritional status and prognostic factors for mortality in patients admitted to emergency department observation units: a national multi-center study in China.

Nutritional risk is common among patients admitted to the emergency department and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Despite its large population, few comprehensive studies have been conducted in China concerning the nutritional status of patients admitted to emergency department observation units (EDOUs). Patients admitted to EDOUs of 90 tertiary hospitals in China between June 2020 and December 2020 were enrolled. Demographic information, laboratory parameters, nutritional support therapies, and 28-day mortality were recorded. Risk factors for mortality were examined using multi-variate-adjusted logistic regression analysis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves for each predictor of mortality were plotted, and the area under the ROC (AUROC) curves was compared. A total of 2,005 eligible patients were finally enrolled. At the 28-day follow-up, 1,911 patients survived, and 94 died. The group with a Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 (NRS 2002) score of 3-4 points was the largest (52.01%). The number of patients receiving oral nutritional supplements, enteral nutrition (EN), parenteral nutrition (PN), and the combination of EN and PN was 425, 314, 853, and 413, respectively. Among the total, 77.55% of patients had nutritional risk (NRS 2002 ≥3). The proportion of patients with high nutritional risk (NRS2002≥5) in the age group >80 years was significantly higher than that in the age group 66-80 years (29.00% vs. 23.93%, P=0.032), but not significantly higher than that in the age group 18-65 years (29.00% vs. 26.54%, P=0.449). Logistic regression analysis revealed that heart failure (odds ratio [OR] 1.856, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.087-3.167, P=0.023), consciousness (OR 2.967, 95% CI 1.894-4.648, P<0.001), Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score (OR 1.037, 95% CI 1.017-1.058, P<0.001), NRS 2002 score (OR 1.286, 95% CI 1.115-1.483, P=0.001), and Mini Nutritional Assessment-Short Form score (OR 0.946, 95% CI 0.898-0.997, P=0.039) were all independent risk factors for 28-day mortality. APACHE II and NRS 2002 scores were superior to other predictors according to the comparison of AUROC. Nutritional risk is prevalent among older patients in EDOUs in China. APACHE II and NRS 2002 scores are important risk factors for mortality in patients admitted to the EDOU. Timely and appropriate nutritional screening and support measures are critical to reduce patients' length of hospital stay and mortality.

54 FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH TIME TO CLINICAL REMISSION IN PEDIATRIC LUMINAL CROHN'S DISEASE, A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

Abstract Background The natural evolution of Crohn’s disease is incompletely understood in the pediatric population. Data on factors influencing time-to-remission are very limited in the literature. Objectives The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to describe the time to clinical remission in children with Crohn’s disease as well as changes over the past decade and to identify factors associated with time to clinical remission. Design/Methods Patients under 18 years old diagnosed between 2009 and 2019 were included. All data were collected from the patients’ medical records and the CHU Sainte-Justine inflammatory bowel disease registry. Survival analyses and linear regression models were used to assess the impact of clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, histological and therapeutic factors on time to clinical remission. Results 654 patients were included in the study. There was no change in the time to clinical remission over the past decade. Female sex in adolescents (adjusted beta regression coefficient (aβ)= 31.8 days, p= 0.02), upper digestive tract involvement (aβ= 46.4 days, p= 0.04), perianal disease (aβ= 32.2 days, p= 0.04), presence of active inflammation on biopsies (aβ= 46.7 days, p= 0.01) and oral 5-ASA exposure (aβ=56.6 days, p= 0.002) were all associated with longer time to clinical remission. However, antibiotic exposure (aβ= -29.3 days, p=0.04), increased eosinophils on biopsies (aβ= -29.6 days, p=0.008) and combination of exclusive enteral nutrition and TNF- alpha inhibitors as induction therapy (aβ= -36.8, p=0.04) were associated with shorter time to clinical remission. Conclusion In children with newly diagnosed CD, time to clinical remission did not shorten during the decade. It was associated with baseline clinical and histological data and treatment strategies. Combination of enteral nutrition and TNF-alpha inhibitors was associated with faster clinical remission. Figure 1 : Kaplan-Meier curve representing time to clinical remission in patients 13 years old and older by sex. Figure 2 : Kaplan-Meier curve representing the time to clinical remission of patients according to the first induction treatment administered.

A188 FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH CLINICAL REMISSION IN PEDIATRIC LUMINAL CROHN’S DISEASE: A RETROSPECTIVE COHORT STUDY

BackgroundThe natural evolution of Crohn’s disease is incompletely understood in the pediatric population. Data on factors influencing time-to-remission are very limited in the literature.AimsThe aim of this retrospective cohort study was to describe the time to clinical remission in children with Crohn’s disease as well as changes over the past decade and to identify factors associated with time to clinical remission.MethodsPatients under 18 years old diagnosed between 2009 and 2019 were included. All data were collected from the patients’ medical records and the CHU Sainte-Justine inflammatory bowel disease registry. Survival analyses and linear regression models were used to assess the impact of clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, histological and therapeutic factors on time to clinical remission.Results654 patients were included in the study. There was no change in the time to clinical remission over the past decade. Female sex in adolescents (ajusted bêta regression coefficient (aβ)= 31.8 days, p= 0.02), upper digestive tract involvement (aβ= 46.4 days, p= 0.04), perianal disease (aβ= 32.2 days, p= 0.04), presence of active inflammation on biopsies (aβ= 46.7 days, p= 0.01) and oral 5-ASA exposure (aβ=56.6 days, p= 0.002) were all associated with longer time to clinical remission. However, antibiotic exposure (aβ= -29.3 days, p=0.04), increased eosinophils on biopsies (aβ= -29.6 days, p=0.008) and combination of exclusive enteral nutrition and TNF- alpha inhibitors as induction therapy (aβ= -36.8, p=0.04) were associated with shorter time to clinical remission.ConclusionsTime to clinical remission did not improve during the decade and was associated with baseline clinical and histological data and treatment strategies. Combination of enteral nutrition and TNF-alpha inhibitors was associated with faster clinical remission. Kaplan-Meier curve representing the time to clinical remission of patients according to the first induction treatment administered.Funding AgenciesNoneFonds Recherche Santé Québec / Fondation du CHU Sainte-Justine

P141 Factors Associated with Time to Clinical Remission in Pediatric Luminal Crohn’s disease: a Retrospective Cohort Study

Abstract Background The natural evolution of Crohn’s disease is incompletely understood in the pediatric population. Data on factors influencing time-to-remission are very limited in the literature. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to describe the time to clinical remission in children with Crohn’s disease as well as changes over the past decade and to identify factors associated with time to clinical remission. Methods Patients under 18 years old diagnosed between 2009 and 2019 were included. All data were collected from the patients’ medical records and the CHU Sainte-Justine inflammatory bowel disease registry. Survival analyses and linear regression models were used to assess the impact of clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, histological and therapeutic factors on time to clinical remission. Results 654 patients were included in the study. There was no change in the time to clinical remission over the past decade. Female sex in adolescents (ajusted bêta regression coefficient (aβ)= 31.8 days, p= 0.02), upper digestive tract involvement (aβ= 46.4 days, p= 0.04), perianal disease (aβ= 32.2 days, p= 0.04), presence of active inflammation on biopsies (aβ= 46.7 days, p= 0.01) and oral 5-ASA exposure (aβ=56.6 days, p= 0.002) were all associated with longer time to clinical remission. However, antibiotic exposure (aβ= -29.3 days, p=0.04), increased eosinophils on biopsies (aβ= -29.6 days, p=0.008) and combination of exclusive enteral nutrition and TNF- alpha inhibitors as induction therapy (aβ= -36.8, p=0.04) were associated with shorter time to clinical remission. Figure 1: Kaplan-Meier curve representing time to clinical remission in patients 13 years old and older by sex. Figure 2: Kaplan-Meier curve representing the time to clinical remission of patients according to the first induction treatment administered. Conclusion Time to clinical remission did not improve during the decade and was associated with baseline clinical and histological data and treatment strategies. Combination of enteral nutrition and TNF-alpha inhibitors was associated with faster clinical remission.

Factors associated with time to clinical remission in pediatric luminal Crohn's disease: A retrospective cohort study.

Background and AimData on factors influencing time to remission in pediatric Crohn's disease (CD) are very limited in the literature. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to describe the trends of time to clinical remission over the past decade and to identify factors associated with time to clinical remission in children with luminal CD.MethodsPatients under 18 years old diagnosed between 2009 and 2019 were included. All data were collected from the patients' medical records. Survival analyses and linear regression models were used to assess the impact of clinical, laboratory, endoscopic, histological, and therapeutic factors on time to clinical remission.ResultsA total of 654 patients were included in the study. There was no change in the time to clinical remission over the decade. Female sex in adolescents (adjusted bêta regression coefficient [aβ] = 31.8 days, P = 0.02), upper digestive tract involvement (aβ = 46.4 days, P = 0.04) perianal disease (aβ = 32.2 days, P = 0.04), presence of active inflammation on biopsies at diagnosis (aβ = 46.7 days, P = 0.01) and oral 5‐aminosalicylates (5‐ASA) exposure (aβ = 56.6 days, P = 0.002) were associated with longer time to clinical remission. Antibiotic exposure (aβ = −29.3 days, P = 0.04), increased eosinophils (aβ = −29.6 days, P = 0.008) and combination of exclusive enteral nutrition with tumor‐necrosis‐factor‐alpha (TNF‐alpha) inhibitors as induction therapy (aβ = −36.8 days, P = 0.04) were associated with shorter time to clinical remission.ConclusionIn children with newly diagnosed Crohn's disease, time to clinical remission did not shorten during the decade. It was associated with baseline clinical and histological data and treatment strategies. Combination of enteral nutrition and TNF‐alpha inhibitors was associated with faster clinical remission.

Luzhou-Feier powder reduces inflammatory response and improves intestinal immune barrier in rats with severe acute pancreatitis.

As we know, nutritional support plays a key role in the treatment of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Since total parenteral nutrition (TPN) was discovered, the mortality of SAP had been greatly reduced. But researchers recently demonstrated that the prognosis of SAP could be improved by early enteral nutrition (EEN), which has been a priority for nutritional support in patients with SAP. However, implementation of total enteral nutrition is often challenging in the early stage of SAP. If the enteral nutrition is overused, the burden on the gastrointestinal tract will be aggravated. Under such circumstances, the combination of enteral and parenteral nutrition for nutritional support of SAP patients would be a better choice. Therefore, in this study, we compared the efficacy of two enteral nutrition agents: traditional nutritional supplement named Luzhou-Feier powder (LZ-FP) and enteral nutritional suspension (TPF) combined with parenteral nutrition to total parenteral nutrition (TPN) in the treatment of SAP rats. Our analysis revealed that the combination of enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition was more effective than TPN in SAP. And LZ-FP met the requirements for enteral nutrition of SAP supporting its clinical application in SAP. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Luzhou-Feier powder (LZ-FP) is a traditional Chinese nutritional supplement that was originally developed as a nutritional supplement for infants and is currently used for nutritional support in patients with chronic and consumptive diseases. Our research investigated the effect and its possible mechanisms of LZ-FP as early trophic enteral nutrition in SAP rats and compared it with TPF and TPN which have been used clinically. We found that LZ-FP helped to reduce inflammatory response and improve the intestinal immune barrier of SAP. The curative effect of LZ-FP was comparable to that of TPF. And this effect may be achieved by inducing the secretion of gut hormones. Our research indicates that LZ-FP should be considered as an enteral nutrition preparation for SAP.

Triaging, emergency surgical management, and nutritional rehabilitation of a case of acute on chronic mesenteric vascular ischemia

Mesenteric vascular ischemia (MVI) is a leading cause of short bowel syndrome (SBS). There is no uniformity in management protocol for MVI and there lacks consensus on when and how to operate. In this report, we present a case of type 2 SBS following extensive resection of bowel managed postoperatively with a combination of enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN). We used Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation 2 scoring system along with intraoperative findings to stratify our case and proceed with resection and anastomosis of the bowel in the same sitting. The total PN was started from post-operative day 1 along with micronutrients and vitamin supplements. We were able to taper PN to supplement 30% of the daily caloric requirement and 70% by EN by the end of 8 weeks. Triaging the patient, prompt surgery, early institution of PN along with EN, micronutrients, and vitamin supplements proved to be the key for improved outcomes.

Combination of enteral and parenteral nutrition in the acute phase of critical illness: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Uncertainty remains about the best route and timing of medical nutrition therapy in the acute phase of critical illness. Early combined enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN) may represent an attractive option to achieve recommended energy and protein goals in select patient groups. This meta-analysis aims to update and summarize the current evidence. This systematic review and meta-analysis includes randomized controlled trials (RCTs) targeting the effect of EN alone vs a combination of EN with PN in the acute phase of critical illness in adult patients. Assessed outcomes include mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital length of stay (LOS), ventilation days, infectious complications, physical recovery, and quality-of-life outcomes. Twelve RCTs with 5543 patients were included. Treatment with a combination of EN with PN led to increased delivery of macronutrients. No statistically significant effect of a combination of EN with PN vs EN alone on any of the parameters was observed: mortality (risk ratio = 1.0; 95% CI, 0.79-1.28; P= .99), hospital LOS (mean difference, -1.44; CI,-5.59 to 2.71; P =.50), ICU LOS, and ventilation days. Trends toward improved physical outcomes were observed in two of four trials. A combination of EN with PN improved nutrition intake in the acute phase of critical illness in adults and was not inferior regarding the patients' outcomes. Large, adequately designed trials in select patient groups are needed to answer the question of whether this nutrition strategy has a clinically relevant treatment effect.

Pathogenetic substantiation of diet therapy for Crohn’s disease in children

Crohn’s disease is a chronic inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract in which patients should receive continuous, lifelong therapy. Particular attention should be paid to their nutritional status. The characteristics of the diet traditionally recommended for Crohn’s disease often lead to a decrease in the consumption of essential nutrients by patients. Therefore, an important role belongs to nutritional support with specialized mixtures, the effectiveness of which has been proven, both for the induction of remission, and for optimizing the parameters of physical development and puberty, bone mineralization. Nutritional support should be carried out in the case of a newly diagnosed disease in the form of complete enteral nutrition, and subsequently - in remission, exacerbation, in the pre- and postoperative periods, as an addition to the standard diet. Of particular interest is the CDED ModuLife program, which is based on a combination of enteral nutrition with specially selected foods, aimed at reducing the activity of intestinal inflammation in CD.

Энтеральное питание у детей с болезнью Крона: значение и основные принципы

The characteristics of the diet traditionally recommended for Crohn’s disease often reduce patients’ consumption of essential nutrients. Therefore, an important role belongs to nutritional support with specialized formulas, the effectiveness of which has been proven both for inducing remission and optimizing the parameters of physical development and puberty, bone mineralization. Nutritional support should be provided for patients with newly diagnosed Crohn’s disease in the form of full enteral nutrition, and subsequently in remission, exacerbation, in the pre- and postoperative periods as an addition to the standard diet. Of particular interest is the CDED ModuLife program, which is based on a combination of enteral nutrition with specially selected foods aimed at reducing the activity of intestinal inflammation in Crohn’s disease. Key words: inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease, full enteral nutrition, partial enteral nutrition, enteral nutrition formulas

Nutritional support in critically ill adult patients

Objective The aim of this study was to conduct a review of nutritional support in critically ill adult patients. Data analysis Data source: medical textbooks, medical journals, and medical websites with recent research studies having the keyword nutritional support in the title of the paper were searched. Study selection: systemic reviews that addressed nutritional support and studies that addressed support in critically ill adult patients were selected. Data extraction: a special search was conducted at midline with the keywords nutritional and support in the title of the paper, and suitable studies meeting the criteria were extracted and their quality and validity assessed. Data synthesis: each study was reviewed independently. The data were translated into the language most comfortable for the researcher and arranged in topics throughout the article. Recent findings Early nutritional support (within 48 h) is advocated in critically ill patients. The normal policy is to start with enteral nutrition (EN). If not feasible or not able to provide complete nutrition, parenteral nutrition is started to supplement EN. The caloric balance can be maintained by providing 25-35 kcal/kg/day. Nutrition should be personalized for each patient taking into consideration the state of disease and the present nutritional status of the patient. The patient's nutritional adequacy and possible side effects should be assessed regularly. Conclusion Early EN has been suggested to be beneficial in the critically ill. But depending on the enteral route alone might lead to underfeeding. Therefore, many patients may need a combination of EN and parenteral nutrition, adjusted as tolerance to EN increases.

Hallmarks in the History of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition

Parenteral nutrition (PN) and enteral nutrition (EN) have a very long history, emerging in the ancient world and developing throughout the common epoch. This history dates back as far as 3500 bc to the ancient Egyptians, Indians, and Chinese. Their medical practices were the first reports of enteral feeding therapy, provided via rectum with enemas of wine, milk, whey, wheat, and barley. Hippocrates and Plato, in ancient Greece, were the first personalities to emphasize the importance of diet on health. In the following centuries, Erasistratus and Herophilus described the first notion of the circulatory system, and Oribasius and Celsus described the role of nutrition and disease. There is a great historical gap between the times of Galen (2nd century), who elaborated on the circulatory system; Ibn Zuhr (12th century), who constructed the first model of PN; and Capivacceus (16th century), who placed the first tube for EN. The 17th-19th centuries showed major developments in modern nutrition elements. Steps toward artificial nutrition began in 1628 with the detailed description of blood circulation by William Harvey; however, most of the advances in enteral and parenteral feeding techniques, solutions, and formulas took place in the 20th century. Over the last decade of the 20th century, research focused on metabolic control, multitude formulas, timing and the combination of EN and PN for intensive care patients.

Evaluation of Over‐ and Underfeeding Following the Introduction of a Protocol for Weaning From Parenteral to Enteral Nutrition in the Intensive Care Unit

Over- and underfeeding critically ill patients have significant clinical consequences. These patients are often given a combination of enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN), potentially increasing their risk of overfeeding. No published protocol describing the process for weaning from parenteral to enteral feeding and its effects on over- and underfeeding exists. This study aimed to evaluate the introduction of such a protocol. A prospective, 2-phase observational study was performed in a 10-bed medical/surgical intensive care unit on patients ventilated for >72 hours and receiving EN and/or PN. Data were collected 6 months before and 2 years after the implementation of a weaning protocol. Underfeeding was defined as energy intake <80% and overfeeding as >110% of estimated requirements. Twenty-two patients were fed for a total of 118 days in phase 1, and 29 patients were fed for a total of 272 days in phase 2. Overfeeding occurred more frequently than underfeeding prior to the introduction of the protocol (24.6% vs 19.5% of feeding days) and significantly more often on days when patients were fed by a combination of routes (P < .05). After implementing the protocol, the incidence of overfeeding reduced almost 3-fold to 9.1% (P < .001), and feeding via a combination of routes was no longer a significant cause. Underfeeding did not change and patients being adequately fed increased from 56% to 71% (P < .001). A structured protocol for weaning patients from PN to EN can reduce overfeeding in critically ill patients given nutrition support via a combination of routes.

Nutritional interventions for liver-transplanted patients

Malnutrition is a common problem for patients waiting for orthotopic liver transplantation and a risk factor for post-transplant morbidity. The decision to initiate enteral or parenteral nutrition, to which patients and at which time, is still debated. The effects of nutritional supplements given before or after liver transplantation, or both, still remains unclear. The aim of this review was to assess the beneficial and harmful effects of enteral and parenteral nutrition as well as oral nutritional supplements administered to patients before and after liver transplantation. We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register (March 2012), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Issue 2 of 12, 2012) in The Cochrane Library, MEDLINE (January 1946 to March 2012), EMBASE (January 1974 to March 2012), Science Citation Index Expanded (January 1900 to March 2012), Social Science Citation Index (January 1961 to October 2010), and reference lists of articles. Manufacturers and experts in the field have also been contacted and relevant journals and conference proceedings were handsearched (from 1997 to October 2010). Randomised clinical trials of parallel or cross-over design evaluating the beneficial or harmful effects of enteral or parenteral nutrition or oral nutritional supplements for patients before and after liver transplantation were eligible for inclusion. Two authors independently assessed the risk of bias of the trials and extracted data. Dichotomous data were reported as odds ratios (OR) and continuous data as mean differences (MD) along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI). Meta-analysis was not possible due to clinical heterogeneity of included interventions. Thirteen trials met the inclusion criteria. Four publications did not report outcomes pre-defined in the review protocol, or other clinically relevant outcomes and additional data could not be obtained. Nine trials could provide data for the review. Most of the 13 included trials were small and at high risk of bias. Meta-analyses were not possible due to clinical heterogeneity of the interventions.No interventions that were likely to be beneficial were identified.For interventions of unknown effectiveness,postoperative enteral nutrition compared with postoperative parenteral nutrition seemed to have no beneficial or harmful effects on clinical outcomes. Parenteral nutrition containing protein, fat, carbohydrates, and branched-chain amino acids with or without alanyl-glutamine seemed to have no beneficial effect on the outcomes of one and three years survival when compared with a solution of 5% dextrose and normal saline. Enteral immunonutrition with Supportan® seemed to have no effect on occurrence of immunological rejection when compared with enteral nutrition with Fresubin®.There is weak evidence that, compared with standard dietary advice, adding a nutritional supplement to usual diet for patients during the waiting time for liver transplantation had an effect on clinical outcomes after liver transplantation. The combination of enteral nutrition plus parenteral nutrition plus glutamine-dipeptide seemed to be beneficial in reducing length of hospital stay after liver transplantation compared with standard parenteral nutrition (mean difference (MD) -12.20 days; 95% CI -20.20 to -4.00). There is weak evidence that the use of parenteral nutrition plus branched-chain amino acids had an effect on clinical outcomes compared with standard parenteral nutrition, but each was beneficial in reducing length of stay in intensive care unit compared to a standard glucose solution (MD -2.40; 95% CI -4.29 to -0.51 and MD -2.20 days; 95% CI -3.79 to -0.61). There is weak evidence that adding omega-3 fish oil to parenteral nutrition reduced the length of hospital stay after liver transplantation (mean difference -7.1 days; 95% CI -13.02 to -1.18) and the length of stay in intensive care unit after liver transplantation (MD -1.9 days; 95% CI -1.9 to -0.22).For interventions unlikely to be beneficial, there is a significant increased risk in acute rejections in malnourished patients with a history of encephalopathy and treated with the nutritional supplement Ensure® compared with usual diet only (MD 0.70 events per patient; 95% CI 0.08 to 1.32). We were unable to identify nutritional interventions for liver transplanted patients that seemed to offer convincing benefits. Further randomised clinical trials with low risk of bias and powerful sample sizes are needed.

Cardiogenic shock and nutrition: safe?

Cardiogenic shock is a common diagnosis in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), and is characterized by a decreased cardiac output in the presence of adequate intravascular volume associated with an inadequate tissue perfusion including a physiological reduction in the splanchnic territory. It may occur in isolation as a reflection of cardiac pathology, or it may be part of a shock syndrome involving other pathogenic mechanisms. As the use of enteral nutrition (EN) is associated with an increase in mesenteric arterial output, EN could be deleterious by overwhelming the mechanisms of mesenteric adaptation. Accordingly, EN has been suspected to increase the risk of mesenteric ischaemia, bacterial translocation and sepsis in ICU patients with cardiogenic shock. International guidelines recommend a cautious use of EN within 72 h following cardiogenic shock. Recent evidence indicates that mesenteric arterial output may decrease during parenteral nutrition administration, suggesting that parenteral nutrition could have a protective effect on splanchnic organs in ICU patients with cardiogenic shock. Contrary to former beliefs, several meta-analyses have shown that parenteral nutrition is not associated with increased mortality. Exclusive EN is associated with negative energy balance and the combination of EN with supplemental parenteral nutrition during the first days following ICU admission has been proposed to prevent negative energy balance. Such a nutritional strategy could also be beneficial for the mesenteric circulation in cardiogenic shock, and consequently may improve the clinical outcome of patients with cardiogenic shock. Clinical trials are warranted to verify these hypotheses.

Combining enteral with parenteral nutrition to improve postoperative glucose control

The provision of parenteral nutrition (PN) to 'stressed' patients often results in hyperglycaemia, which may be detrimental. In animal models limited amounts of enteral nutrition (EN) improve intestinal integrity and stimulate intestinal incretin production, which may lead to improved glucose control. We set out to assess if combining EN with PN results in improved glucose homeostasis rather than PN given alone. We conducted a randomised trial in a university teaching hospital of patients undergoing a 'curative' oesophagectomy for adenocarcinoma. Differences between the two intervention groups were assessed for continuous glucose measurement, insulin sensitivity using insulin tolerance tests (ITT) and homeostasis model analysis (HOMA), the incretin glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) and intestinal permeability. The combination of PN with EN resulted in lower interstitial glucose concentrations (P = 0.002), reduced insulin resistance, improved insulin sensitivity (HOMA-insulin resistance (IR) P = 0.045; HOMA beta P = 0.037; ITT P = 0.006), improved intestinal permeability (P < 0.001) and increased GIP (P = 0.01) when compared with PN alone. The combination of EN with PN, when compared with PN alone, results in reduced glucose concentrations, reduced insulin resistance, increased incretins and improvements in intestinal permeability.