Early Parenteral Nutrition Research Articles

Analysis of Current Use of Early Parenteral Nutrition and Clinical Significance of Non-protein Calorie: Nitrogen in Surgical Critically Ill Patients

Surgical critically ill patients require adequate nutrition support and the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (A.S.P.E.N.) guidelines recommend low non-protein calorie:nitrogen ratio (NPC:N ratio, 70∼100) for critically ill pateints. In this study, we assess the current use of early parenteral nutrition of surgical critically ill patients and analyze the clinical significance of NPC:N.

Early Enteral Nutrition Versus Parenteral Nutrition After Resection of Esophageal Cancer: a Retrospective Analysis.

This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and hospitalization cost between early enteral nutrition (EEN) and parenteral nutrition (PN) after resection of esophageal cancer. A total of 79 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent surgical treatment in our hospital from July 2010 to July 2013 were enrolled in this study. They were divided into EEN group (n = 39) and PN group (n = 40) based on the nutrition support modes. The clinical factors such as time to first fecal passage, postoperative albumin infusion, differences of serum albumin value, hospital stay, systematic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) duration, complications, initial hospitalization cost, and mortality were retrospectively compared. The EEN group had a significantly shorter hospital stay, lower initial hospitalization cost, earlier first fecal passage, and shorter duration of SIRS than PN group (P < 0.05). The dose of albumin infusion was significantly smaller in EEN group (P < 0.05) and the decreased value of serum albumin (Δalb) was more prominent in PN group compared with EEN group (P < 0.05). The percentage of patients having any postoperative complication was much higher in PN group than EEN group (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in in-hospital morbidity between two groups. Pneumonia was found significantly more frequent in PN group compared with EEN group (P < 0.05). Early EN started within 48h after esophagectomy is safe, economic, and superior for reduction of postoperative complication, for promoting early recovery of intestinal movement, and for early recovery from systemic inflammation.

Parenteral nutrition: never say never.

This review emphasizes the benefits of parenteral nutrition (PN) in critically ill patients, when prescribed for relevant indications, in adequate quantities, and in due time.Critically ill patients are at risk of energy deficit during their ICU stay, a condition which leads to unfavorable outcomes, due to hypercatabolism secondary to the stress response and the difficulty to optimize feeding. Indirect calorimetry is recommended to define the energy target, since no single predictive equation accurately estimates energy expenditure. Energy metabolism is intimately associated with protein metabolism. Recent evidence calls for adequate protein provision, but there is no accurate method to estimate the protein requirements, and recommendations are probably suboptimal. Enteral nutrition (EN) is the preferred route of feeding, but gastrointestinal intolerance limits its efficacy and PN allows for full coverage of energy needs.Seven recent articles concerning PN for critically ill patients were identified and carefully reviewed for the clinical and scientific relevance of their conclusions. One article addressed the unfavorable effects of early PN, although this result should be more correctly regarded as a consequence of glucose load and hypercaloric feeding. The six other articles were either in favor of PN or concluded that there was no difference in the outcome compared with EN. Hypercaloric feeding was not observed in these studies. Hypocaloric feeding led to unfavorable outcomes. This further demonstrates the beneficial effects of an early and adequate feeding with full EN, or in case of failure of EN with exclusive or supplemental PN.EN is the first choice for critically ill patients, but difficulties providing optimal nutrition through exclusive EN are frequently encountered. In cases of insufficient EN, individualized supplemental PN should be administered to reduce the infection rate and the duration of mechanical ventilation. PN is a safe therapeutic option as long as sufficient attention is given to avoid hypercaloric feeding.

Early Enhanced Parenteral Nutrition, Hyperglycemia, and Death Among Extremely Low-Birth-Weight Infants.

Efforts to optimize early parenteral nutrition (PN) in extremely low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants to promote growth and development may increase hyperglycemia risk. Recent studies have identified an association between early hyperglycemia and adverse outcomes in ELBW infants. To examine the prevalence of early hyperglycemia and clinical outcomes among ELBW infants before (2002-2005) and after (2006-2011) the implementation of an early enhanced PN protocol and to assess the independent effects of early enhanced PN and early hyperglycemia on mortality. Observational cohort study in a level III neonatal intensive care unit. Prospectively collected clinical data in the neonatal intensive care unit's medical database, nutritional information, and blood glucose levels were merged for analysis. All ELBW infants born between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2011, without lethal malformations and still alive at 12 hours of life were eligible for inclusion in the study. Mortality was the main outcome measure. Severe hyperglycemia was defined as 2 consecutive blood glucose levels exceeding 216 mg/dL at least 3 hours apart. A multivariable logistic regression model was applied to determine the independent effects of early enhanced PN and hyperglycemia on mortality. In total, 343 infants were included in the study, 129 in a historical comparison group before the enhanced PN protocol and 214 in the early enhanced PN group. Baseline characteristics were similar between the study groups. After the introduction of early enhanced PN, the prevalence of severe hyperglycemia during the first week of life was higher in the early enhanced PN group (11.6% [15 of 129] vs 41.6% [89 of 214], P < .001), as was the mortality (10.9% [14 of 129] vs 24.3% [52 of 214], P = .003). When adjusting for background characteristics, treatment, and nutritional data, early severe hyperglycemia remained a strong independent risk factor for death (odds ratio, 4.68; 95% CI, 1.82-12.03), together with gestational age (odds ratio, 0.62; 95% CI, 0.49-0.79). The implementation of an enhanced PN protocol was correlated with an increased prevalence of severe hyperglycemia and higher mortality. In the multivariable analysis, an enhanced PN regimen per se was not predictive of mortality, whereas early severe hyperglycemia remained strongly predictive of death. To avoid detrimental effects on outcomes in ELBW infants, the optimal composition of early PN to avoid postnatal growth failure must be carefully balanced against hyperglycemia risk.

Oxygen and parenteral nutrition two main oxidants for extremely preterm infants: 'It all adds up'.

To assess the effect of early exposure to O2 and parenteral nutrition (PN) on oxidative stress at 36 weeks post-menstrual age (PMA) and on bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in extremely preterm infants. A prospective observational study including 116 infants <29 weeks of gestation. Baseline clinical characteristics, FiO2 on day 7, duration of PN and clinical outcomes data were collected. In 39 infants, whole blood glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) at 36 weeks PMA were measured and the redox potential was calculated using Nernst equation. Student's t-test, Chi-square, Spearman correlation, ANOVA, and logistic regression analyses were used as appropriate. P < 0.05 was considered significant. FiO2 ≥25% was associated with higher level of GSSG (0.29 ± 0.04 versus 0.18 ± 0.02 nmol/mg of protein), a more oxidized redox potential (-191 ± 2 versus -198 ± 2 mV) and more BPD (90% versus 45%). PN duration >14 days was also associated with higher level of GSSG (0.26 ± 0.03 versus 0.13 ± 0.02 nmol/mg of protein), a more oxidized redox potential (-193 ± 5 versus -203 ± 2 mV) and more BPD (89% versus 24%). In logistic regression model, each 1% increase in FiO2 and each day increase in PN duration resulted in an increase in the OR for BPD by 1.57 (1.09 -2.28) and 1.17 (1.03 -1.33) respectively. Early O2 supplement and PN have additive effects that were associated with prolonged oxidative stress and increased risk of BPD. Strategies targeting judicious use of O2 and decreasing the duration or developing a safer formulation of PN can be targeted to decrease BPD.

Minerals and extremely low birth weight infants

The 80% of bone mineralisation occurs in the third trimester of pregnancy. The daily fetal requirement is 310 mg of calcium and 170 mg of phosphorus[1]. The bone mineral density (BMD) correlates positively with gestational age, weight and length[2]. At birth, extremely premature infants (ELBWI)canpresent hypocalcaemiabecause of interruption of the maternal calcium supply, high level of calcitoninand immature response to PTH. Early parenteral nutrition solutionisnecessary to maintain normal serum calcium and phosphorus levels. Indeed, the exclusive use of dextrose and calcium gluconate leads to thehypophosphatemia, deleterious to intermediary metabolism, intracellular energy transfer and bone mineral homeostasis[3]. The ELBWI are at risk of Osteopenia of prematurity, also known as neonatal metabolic bone disease (MBD). The pathophysiology includesreduction in organic protein matrix (osteopenia) and/or a reduction in mineral component (osteomalacia). MBD causes rickets, fractures and may affect growth in infancy and childhood. The structural basis of osteopenia is decreased thickness or number of trabeculae and/or decreased thickness of the bone cortex. Osteomalaciais a disorder of the physiological process of mineralisation, when the incorporation of mineral into the organic bone matrix is disturbed, whereas “rickets” describes defective mineralisation of growth plate cartilage and its morphological consequences[4]. The ethiology is multifactorial: placental dysfunction, prolonged (>4 weeks) parenteral nutrition, diureticsand steroids treatment, immobilization and inadequate nutrient intake of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D[5]. The main ethiology factor is deficit of mineral substrates, whereas the critical factor is lack of phosphorus[4]. It should be needed an adequate mineral supplementation with parenteral and enteral nutrition, although the difficulties to fortify appropriately the human milk. The dosage recommended of vitamin D is between, 400 IU/d (AAP) and 1000 IU/d (ESPGHAN)[6]. Moreover hypotonia and immobilization are an additional risk factors [7], daily passive exercise canimproves the bone mineral content [8]. MBD could be detected by X-Ray, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) or quantitative ultrasound. The serumdiagnostic markers are alkaline phosphatases, calcium and phosphateserum levels. Preterm infants with low serum phosphate (<2 mmol/l) are at risk of MBD and levels less than 1.8 mmol/l have been strongly associated with the presence of radiographically evident rickets. Because of preterm has a much lower renal phosphate threshold and this is not bound in the plasma like calcium, the tubular reabsorption is the best guide to calculate itssupplementation[8].

Nutritional status and feeding practices in gastrointestinal surgery patients at Bach Mai Hospital, Hanoi, Vietnam.

The nutritional status and hospital feeding practices of surgical patients in Vietnam are not well documented. Based on a cross-sectional study at Bach Mai Hospital (BMH), the prevalence of malnutrition was found to be 33% in the surgical ward using a body mass index (BMI<18.5 kg/m(2). We conducted an observational study over a three month period to evaluate the feeding practices in the gastrointestinal (GI) surgery ward at Bach Mai Hospital (BMH) in Hanoi, Vietnam. Investigators from the U.S. and the Vietnamese National Institute of Nutrition (NIN) enrolled 72 subjects admitted for elective GI surgery in an observational study at BMH. Baseline anthropometrics and changes over time, body mass index (BMI), Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) and daily kcal and protein intake from oral diet, tube feeding, and parenteral nutrition (PN) from admission until discharge were documented. A total of 50% of subjects scored a B or C on the SGA; 48% of subjects had a BMI<18.5, while mean mid upper arm circumference was in the lownormal range (24±4 cm). Nearly all patients (98%) were given PN postoperatively, with oral feeding starting on an average of postoperative day 4. Only one patient was tube fed. Mean daily total calorie intake was 15 kcal/kg/day and protein intake was 0.61 g/kg/day during hospitalization. Micronutrient supplementation was minimal in subjects receiving PN. Hospital malnutrition in surgical patients in Vietnam is a significant problem, peri-operative feeding appears suboptimal and use of early postoperative PN was routine.

Extremely preterm infants who are small for gestational age have a high risk of early hypophosphatemia and hypokalemia.

Electrolyte balances have not been sufficiently evaluated in extremely preterm infants after early parenteral nutrition. We investigated the risk of early hypophosphatemia and hypokalemia in extremely preterm infants born small for gestational age (SGA) who received nutrition as currently recommended. This prospective, observational cohort study included all consecutive extremely preterm infants born at 24-27 weeks who received high amino acids and lipid perfusion from birth. We evaluated the electrolyte levels of SGA infants and infants born appropriate for gestational age (AGA) during the first five days of life. The 12 SGA infants had lower plasma potassium levels from Day One compared to the 36 AGA infants and were more likely to have hypokalemia (58% vs 17%, p = 0.001) and hypophosphatemia (40% vs 9%, p < 0.01) during the five-day observation period. After adjusting for perinatal factors, SGA remained significantly associated with hypophosphatemia (odds ratio 1.39, confidence intervals 1.07-1.81, p = 0.01). Extremely preterm infants born SGA who were managed with currently recommended early parenteral nutrition had a high risk of early hypokalemia and hypophosphatemia. Potassium and phosphorus intakes should be set at sufficient levels from birth onwards, especially in SGA infants.

Avicenna (IbnSina) aspect of Ileus

Dear Editor, Ileusis derived from the Greek word 'eileos,' which means twisting, a prevalent and non- prophylactic consequence in major abdominal operations (Jonson W it occurs post-operatively, ileus (PI) is a delay in the return of a normal bowel movement, which typically lasts 3-5 days dependent on the location, 0 to 24 hours in the small intestine, 24 to 48 hours in the stomach, and 48 to 72 hours in the colon respectively (Ianey2004)(RychterC and creation of wind in the intestine may be accumulated inside muscular tissues, which will be followed by pain and intestinal atony and paralysis (IbnSina 2005 p.262). With deference to the above statements previously discussed, this hypothesis purposes that one of the causes for postoperative ileus is wind. Therefore, those drugs, which remove the produced dense wind in the digestive system, may contribute to the return of intestinal movement (peristalsis) in the post-surgical patient more quickly following the operation. Additionally, this theory could possibly be used and studied as a new method for prophylactic purpose and treatment of the patient’s postoperative ileus (PI) state. We would like to continue further discussions on the aspects of Persian traditional medicinal treatment of ileus in future articles. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijls.v9i5.12709

Sepsis breakthroughs in 2014

The mortality of sepsis may be decreasing and, because there are more survivors, it is increasingly important to understand the epidemiology, pathogenesis, genetics, prevention, and treatment of the impaired long-term outcomes of sepsis. Recent insights on the clearance of bacterial products during sepsis suggest new strategies for early intervention. Immune suppression/immune reprogramming to decrease later secondary infections is a novel strategy now in clinical trials. The Protocolized Care for the Early Septic Shock (ProCESS), Australasian Resuscitation in Sepsis Evaluation (ARISE) and ProMISe randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of early goal-directed therapy (EGDT) versus usual care found no differences between groups in mortality. Fluid therapies may not require full-on EGDT, but rather emphasize the importance of early recognition and resuscitation of sepsis. The Albumin Italian Outcome Sepsis (ALBIOS) RCT did not find a difference between albumin (titrated to serum albumin &gt;30 g/L) and crystalloid in severe sepsis. However, in a subgroup analysis, mortality was lower in the albumin group in patients who had septic shock. Therapeutic use of albumin may be beneficial in septic shock, but requires further evaluation in RCTs. A recent RCT of conservative versus liberal transfusion strategies (70 versus 90 g/L, respectively) found no difference in mortality in septic shock. The transfusion threshold in septic shock is now 70–90 g/L. Although there was no difference in mortality between a usual or a high target mean arterial pressure (MAP) for septic shock resuscitation, a higher MAP target may be beneficial in patients who have pre-existing hypertension, because higher MAP may decrease the incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) and need for renal replacement therapy (RRT). Nutrition practice can continue with enteral nutrition started on days 2–3 (i.e., early but there is no indication for very early parenteral nutrition). Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is the commonest complication of sepsis. Two recent RCTs of simvastatin and rosuvastatin in ARDS were not positive. Early statins at appropriate doses and plasma levels deserve a trial in sepsis. In future, perhaps three changes could improve the chances of having positive trials in sepsis: the use of biomarkers to stratify patients; adaptive trial design to enhance dose selection and reject compounds that are unlikely to be suitable at Phase 2; and the use of composite organ dysfunction as the primary outcome.

Stopping Parenteral Nutrition for 3 Hours Reduces False Positives in Newborn Screening

To evaluate effects of holding parenteral nutrition (PN) for 3 hours prior to newborn screening (NBS) on false-positive NBS rate for amino acids (AAs) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants (birth weight <1500 g). We analyzed data from 12 567 consecutive births in 1 hospital between May 2010 and June 2013. VLBW infants were stratified into 3 groups: (1) infants without PN before NBS (no-PN group); (2) infants with early PN running at the time of NBS (early-PN group); and (3) infants with early-PN that were temporarily replaced by dextrose-containing intravenous fluid 3 hours prior to NBS (stop-PN group). We compared the false-positive rate for AA and cost effectiveness between the groups. The false-positive rate for AA among 413 VLBW infants was significantly higher than infants with birth weight >1500 g (7.62% vs 0.05%; P < .001). There were no false-positive results for AA in the no-PN group. The false-positive rate for AA in the stop-PN group (2/65) was significantly lower than the early-PN group (29/245) (3.1% vs 11.8%; P = .037). The stop-PN group was more cost effective than early-PN group, saving $17.27 per infant screened ($5.53 vs $22.80) or $192.54 for each false-positive result for AA averted. Further reductions in inconclusive samples were also noted. VLBW and early-PN are significant factors for false-positive results for AA. Holding PN containing AAs for 3 hours before NBS collection is a practical and cost-effective method to significantly reduce the false-positive rate for AA in VLBW infants.

Effect of Early Parenteral Nutrition on the HPA Axis and on Treatment With Corticosteroids in Intensive Care Patients.

Nutrition can affect the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. We hypothesized that early administration of parenteral nutrition (PN) during critical illness reduces plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations and thereby increases the use of corticosteroids. This is a preplanned substudy of a randomized controlled trial (EPaNIC) that compared early PN with late PN in 4640 critically ill patients. We investigated the effect of early vs late PN on any steroid treatment and on treatment for ≥ 5 days to capture patients with clinical suspicion of adrenal insufficiency, and assessed whether this was related to an effect on septic shock. Also, in a propensity score-matched subgroup (n=174) of patients not receiving steroids, plasma ACTH and (free) cortisol were quantified. Compared with late PN, more patients on early PN received treatment with corticosteroids (26.2% vs 23.8%; P = .05) and with corticosteroids for ≥ 5 days (14.0% vs 11.9%; P = .03). However, plasma ACTH and (free) cortisol concentrations were unaffected and thus could not explain the higher use of corticosteroids with early PN. Instead, more patients developed new septic shock with early PN (17.0%) than with late PN (14.2%) (P = .01). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, new septic shock was an independent determinant for ≥ 5 days steroid treatment (odds ratio, 6.25; 95% confidence interval, 4.93-7.94; P < .0001), statistically explaining the effect of early PN on steroid treatment. Early PN did not affect plasma concentrations of ACTH and (free) cortisol, but increased the incidence of septic shock, which statistically explained why more patients on early PN received corticosteroids.

Application of Early Nutrition Support in Neurosurgical Coma Patients.

The present study was conducted to investigate the clinical efficacy of early parenteral and enteral nutrition (PN + EN) support in neurosurgical coma patients. Eighty cases of neurosurgical coma patients were randomly divided into intervention group and control group. The intervention group received early PN + EN support, and the control group received only total enteral nutritional (TEN) support. The levels of hemoglobin (HGB), serum albumin (ALB), prealbumin (PA), and retinol-binding protein (RBP) in two groups on days 1, 10, and 20 were observed. The incidences of pneumonia, stress ulcer, abnormal liver function, abdominal distension, and diarrhea between two groups were also compared. Results found that, on day 10, compared with the control group, the levels of HGB, PA, and RBP in the intervention group were significantly increased (P < 0.05). On day 20, ALB in the intervention group significantly increased (P < 0.05), and the incidences of pneumonia, abdominal distension, and diarrhea in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05). Compared with only TEN support, early PN + EN support can obviously improve the nutritional status of neurosurgical coma patients and reduce the occurrence of complications.

Early enteral and parenteral nutritional support after hepatectomy in patients with hepatic carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BackgroundThis study sought to conduct a systematic review providing a comparative analysis of enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN) after hepatectomy.MethodsPubMed, Embase, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure databases were searched for publications describing randomized controlled trials that compared early EN and PN after hepatectomy. The time period for this search was from January 1990 to December 2013. In accordance with the inclusion criteria of this study, two researchers independently screened the retrieved literature, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality. A meta-analysis of the included publications was then performed using RevMan 5.2 software.ResultsThe meta-analysis results indicated statistically significant differences between the group that received EN and the group that received PN during the early stages after hepatectomy with respect to average total bilirubin and alanine aminotransferase levels after nutrition, pre-albumin levels, incidence of diarrhea and abdominal bloating, time to flatus, and average cost of nutrition. To varying degrees, better results were observed in the EN group than in the PN group for these metrics.ConclusionDuring the early stages after hepatectomy, EN has obvious advantages relative to PN; thus, EN merits more widespread promotion and application in this clinical context.

Muscle weakness and nutrition therapy in ICU.

Muscle wasting is common in severe critical illness. ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) contributes to acute and long-term morbidity and mortality. The question remains whether nutrition therapy in ICU can prevent or attenuate these complications. This review aims at integrating the most recent clinical data in order to answer this important clinical and research question. Clinical evidence was obtained from randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Results from animal experiments and observational studies are referred to when - respectively - providing possible explanatory mechanisms or new hypotheses. Although muscle wasting has been reproducibly quantified early in ICU, its relationship with ICU-AW has not yet been convincingly established. All recent RCTs evaluating increased energy/protein intake during ICU week 1 failed to demonstrate a protective effect against ICU-AW or physical function limitations. In one RCT, early parenteral nutrition increased the incidence of ICU-AW. The latter finding might be explained by suppressed autophagy. Current evidence does not support improved physical function with increased energy/protein provision in the first ICU week. Future RCTs aimed at reducing the burden of ICU-AW and improving long-term function should particularly focus on nutrition beyond the acute phase of critical illness and on non-nutritional interventions such as early mobilization.

Effects of Early and Late Parenteral Nutrition on Clinical Outcomes in Very Low Birth Weight Preterm Infants: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Background: Parenteral Nutrition (PN) provided to the Very Low Birth Weighti¼ˆVLBWi¼‰premature infants should be resulted in gradually development as of the other fetuses following the same gestational age. Even after providing the proven beneficial parenteral nutrition supplements, VLBW infants are often presents with the unfavorable results; the main reason behind it is the decision of the administration of parenteral nutrition, whether it is in early life or later days. Objective: The objective of this study is to explore the effect of early and late parenteral nutrition in the VLBW premature infants. In this study we hypothesize that early parenteral nutrition is associated with comparatively beneficial outcomes. Methods: The PubMed (PubMed Central), Medline, and Google Scholar databases were searched from 1993 to 2013. Methodological quality assessment was based on the PRISMA guidelines. Data analysis were conducted with RevMan 5.3 Results: Ten studies including thirteen trials met our inclusion criteria. The aggregate results of trials showed that early parenteral nutrition was well tolerated by VLBW preterm infants and there was significant reduction in sepsis (RR=0.82, 95% CI=0.69~0.98, P=0.03) Conclusion: Comparison made between the patients provided early and late parenteral nutrition, the development and reduction of clinical disease were significantly lower in the early parenteral nutrition group. The cost-effectiveness of these preparations, however, needs to be further explored. The poor qualities of studies call into a question and robustness of the analysis.

Impact of early enteral and parenteral nutrition on prealbumin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein after gastric surgery.

We investigated the impact of early enteral nutrition (EEN) and parenteral nutrition (PN) on prealbumin (PA) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in patients after gastric cancer surgery. Sixty-eight selected patients undergoing gastric cancer surgery were randomly divided into the EEN (N = 34) and PN (N = 34) groups. Body weight (BW), serum albumin (ALB), transferrin (TF), PA, hs-CRP, length of hospital stay, cost of postoperative nutritional support, and incidence of complications were compared between groups. On postoperative day 7, the BW, TF, ALB, and PA for both groups were significantly decreased compared with the values obtained on preoperative day 1 (P < 0.01). A significant decrease was observed in TF and PA in the PN group compared with the EEN group (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in BW and ALB between the two groups (P > 0.05). The hs-CRP level of both groups was significantly higher than on preoperative day 1. There was a significant increase in hs-CRP in the PN group compared with the EEN group (P < 0.01). The anal exhaust time, length of hospital stay, and nutritional support cost were significantly shorter or lower in the EEN group than in the PN group (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups (P > 0.05). EEN helps regulate the postoperative response of patients after gastric cancer surgery, promotes rehabilitation, and accelerates the recovery of gastrointestinal function. Furthermore, EEN has the advantage of being inexpensive.

Early parenteral nutrition alone or accompanying enteral nutrition in critically ill patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Although several large-scale clinical trials shave examined the relationship between early parenteral nutrition (ePN) and critically ill patients, a consensus has not been reached. In addition, no meta-analysis in this area has yet been published. The objective of this meta-analysis was to examine the effect of ePN, alone or accompanying enteral nutrition, in critically ill patients. A meta-analysis was performed to evaluate risk ratios (RR) and mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) between the ePN and control groups. Subgroup analyses were conducted to evaluate combinations of early enteral nutrition (eEN). Five randomized control trials (RCTs) were included. Compared with controls, ePN had no effect on mortality (RR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.96, 1.16). Secondary outcomes were variable: compared with the control group, the ePN group required fewer days of ventilation (p=0.007, RR: -0.95, 95% CI: -1.64, -0.27), but a longer hospital stay (p<0.001, RR: 3.76, 95% CI: 2.25, 5.28). Overall, this meta-analysis from RCTs indicates that provision of ePN within 24-48 hours has no benefit on the survival rate in critically ill patients. Thus, provision of ePN in patients is not needed in those who have contraindications to enteral nutrition or can tolerate a low volume of enteral nutrition.

Early parenteral or enteral nutrition in intensive care patients. Results of the CALORIES Trial

Early parenteral or enteral nutrition in intensive care patients. Results of the CALORIES Trial

Impact of early enteral versus parenteral nutrition on mortality in patients requiring mechanical ventilation and catecholamines: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial (NUTRIREA-2)

BackgroundNutritional support is crucial to the management of patients receiving invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and the most commonly prescribed treatment in intensive care units (ICUs). International guidelines consistently indicate that enteral nutrition (EN) should be preferred over parenteral nutrition (PN) whenever possible and started as early as possible. However, no adequately designed study has evaluated whether a specific nutritional modality is associated with decreased mortality. The primary goal of this trial is to assess the hypothesis that early first-line EN, as compared to early first-line PN, decreases day 28 all-cause mortality in patients receiving IMV and vasoactive drugs for shock.Methods/DesignThe NUTRIREA-2 study is a multicenter, open-label, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial comparing early PN versus early EN in critically ill patients requiring IMV for an expected duration of at least 48 hours, combined with vasoactive drugs, for shock. Patients will be allocated at random to first-line PN for at least 72 hours or to first-line EN. In both groups, nutritional support will be started within 24 hours after IMV initiation. Calorie targets will be 20 to 25 kcal/kg/day during the first week, then 25 to 30 kcal/kg/day thereafter. Patients receiving PN may be switched to EN after at least 72 hours in the event of shock resolution (no vasoactive drugs for 24 consecutive hours and arterial lactic acid level below 2 mmol/L). On day 7, all patients receiving PN and having no contraindications to EN will be switched to EN. In both groups, supplemental PN may be added to EN after day 7 in patients with persistent intolerance to EN and inadequate calorie intake. We plan to recruit 2,854 patients at 44 participating ICUs.DiscussionThe NUTRIREA-2 study is the first large randomized controlled trial designed to assess the hypothesis that early EN improves survival compared to early PN in ICU patients. Enrollment started on 22 March 2013 and is expected to end in November 2015.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01802099 (registered 27 February 2013)