This document discusses nutrition and immunonutrition in the intensive care unit (ICU). It covers the physiological stress of critical illness, consequences of malnutrition, evidence for early enteral feeding and risks of overfeeding. It also discusses immunonutrition strategies like glutamine, probiotics, arginine and omega-3 fatty acids which may help modulate the immune response and reduce infections in critically ill patients. Unanswered questions remain around optimal delivery of specific nutrients to different patient groups.
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Overview of nutrition in ICU, emphasizing the importance and risks of inadequate diets.
Critical illness leads to malnutrition, causing increased morbidity, prolonged hospital stays, and high costs.
Transition from early practices to modern approaches of ICU nutrition, highlighting issues with overfeeding and underfeeding.
Discussion on current challenges and questions regarding optimal nutrition delivery in ICU settings.
Detailed analysis of current nutritional practices, variances, guidelines, and screening methods used in Scottish hospitals.
Approaches to nutritional treatment, emphasizing enteral nutrition and when to resort to parenteral nutrition.
Overview of refeeding syndrome, its risks, and management strategies in critically ill patients.
Role of immunonutrition in critical illness, effects of nutrients like glutamine on immune response.
Benefits of probiotics in improving gut function and reducing infections in critically ill patients.
Discussion on arginine and its impact on immune function and trauma patients.
The role of different fatty acids and dietary lipids in modulating the inflammatory response.
The potential benefits and considerations of antioxidant supplementation in ICU patients.
Guidelines for selecting appropriate nutrients for critically ill populations and promising future directions.
Final thoughts on the importance of nutrition in ICU, including the need for more trials and education.
‘ A slenderand restricted diet is always dangerous in chronic and in acute diseases’ Hippocrates 400 B.C.
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Critical Illness Heterogeneouspatients Extreme physiological stress/organ failure Acute phase response: TNF, IL-6, IL-1 β Immuno-suppression: monocytes, M Ø, NK cells, T and B lymphocytes Insulin resistance: hyperglycaemia Protein loss and fat gain in muscle Impaired gut function
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Consequences of malnutrition Increased morbidity and mortality Prolonged hospital stay Impaired tissue function and wound healing Defective muscle function, reduced respiratory and cardiac function Immuno-suppression, increased risk of infection CIPs lose around 2%/day muscle protein
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Scale of theproblem McWhirter and Pennington 1994: >40% of hospital patients malnourished on admission Recent Scottish data 35% Estimated cost to hospitals: £3.8bn/yr Many ICU patients malnourished or at risk on ICU admission
1970s: TPN -separate CH, AAs and Lipids 2500-3000kcals/day: Lactic acidosis, high glucose loads, fatty livers, high insulin reqt Single lumen C/Lines, no pumps Urinary urea measured, N calculated 1980s: Scientific studies of metabolism: recognition of overfeeding 1990s: nitrogen limitation: 0.2g/kg/24hr, start of immunonutrition trials 2000s: glucose control, specific nutrients
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Nutrition trials inICU Small, underpowered Heterogeneous and complex patients Mixed nutritional status Different feeding regimens Underfeeding – failure to deliver nutrients Overfeeding – adverse metabolic effects Hyperglycaemia Scientific basis essential
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What is theevidence in ICU? Early enteral feeding is best Hyperglycaemia/overfeeding are bad PN meta-analyses controversial Nutritional deficit a/w worse outcome EN a/w aspiration and VAP, PN infection EN and PN can be used to achieve goals Protocols improve delivery of feed Some nutrients show promising results
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Unanswered questions Shouldwe aim for full calorific delivery ASAP using EN + PN? What are the best lipids to use in PN? What is the role of small bowel feeding? Are probiotics helpful? Which patients will benefit from immuno-nutrition? The future: targeted Nutrition Therapy?
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Current practice -Scotland SICS Nutrition Survey 2005-2006 Wide variation in PN and NJ feeding use Wide variation in opinions about nutrition Lack of education about nutrition Lack of interest from clinicians Nutrition teams in 11/24 hospitals (QIS) Discussion between dietitians and doctors limited
What is themaximum amount of time an ICU patient should go without nutrition?
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Nutrition QI StudyCanadian Critical Care Network 156 units cf CCCN guidelines 8 Scotland, 22 UK Adequacy of EN Use of PN Use of Immunonutrition Protocols/Glycaemic control/Bed elevation
“ systematically developedstatements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate health care for specific clinical circumstances” U.S. Institute of Medicine “ EBM - the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients” Sackett DL et al. BMJ 1996
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What Guidelines areavailable? Canadian Critical Care Network 2003/2007: Clinical Practice Guidelines ICS: Practical Management of Parenteral Nutrition in Critically Ill Patients 2005 ESPEN: Enteral Nutrition 2006 NICE: Nutrition Support in Adults 2006
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Organisation of NutritionSupport 3. NICE Guidelines for Nutrition Support in Adults 2006 Screen Recognise Treat Oral Enteral Parenteral Monitor & Review
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Screen Various nutritionalscreening tools NRS 2002, SGA, MNA Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool from the Malnutrition Advisory Group of BAPEN Low risk: routine clinical care, Medium risk: observe High risk: treat- ‘refer to dietitian/local protocols’
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Screening in ICUMUST not very helpful in guiding decisions Almost all patients require artificial nutrition- cannot ‘observe’ What about refeeding syndrome? Needs adaptation using NICE Guidelines Adapted MUST for ICU: Uses BMI/weight loss/food intake + refeeding risk assessment; linked to feeding flowchart
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Step 3 Treat:Enteral use the most appropriate route of access and mode of delivery has a functional and accessible gastrointestinal tract if patient malnourished/at risk of malnutrition despite the use of oral interventions and 3. NICE Guidelines for Nutrition Support in Adults 2006
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Step 3 Treat:PN and has either introduce progressively and monitor closely if patient malnourished/at risk of malnutrition a non-functional, inaccessible or perforated gastrointestinal tract inadequate or unsafe oral or enteral nutritional intake use the most appropriate route of access and mode of delivery 3. NICE Guidelines for Nutrition Support in Adults 2006
REDUCED ENTERAL STIMULATIONDECREASED: Peyer’s patch leukotrienes + MAdCAM-1 T & B cells in Peyer’s patches, Lamina propria & epithelium Reduced secretory IgA and altered cytokines Mucosal atrophy Altered flora Decreased gastric acid Bacterial translocation
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Enteral Preserves intestinalmucosal structure and function More physiological Relatively non-invasive Reduced risk of infectious complications cf PN (?) Relatively cheap
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NG problems Riskof microaspiration in ICU Risk of displacement High gastric aspirates with opioids, sepsis, electrolyte imbalances Reaching goals uncommon PEG/gastrostomy feeding for long-term >4 weeks
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Jejunal Feeding InsertionSurgical jejunostomy: at laparotomy May reduce incidence of aspiration Sometimes increases dose of EN given over NG Indications
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Parenteral Nutrition GItract not functional GI tract cannot be accessed Inadequate enteral nutrition <80% 3 days Do not delay nutrition in malnourished Keep 10ml/hr EN if possible
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Supplemental PN OptimizeEN first if possible (??) Villet: Clin Nutr 24, 2005: Caloric debt a/w increased LOS, vent days and complications Need trial to compare early supplemental PN and early EN with early EN only North America/Europe split over use of PN Unanswered questions
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How much togive in ICU? Schofield equation/Harris Benedict e.g. for 65 year old woman: BMR = (9.2x weight in kg) + 687, = requirement in Kcal/24hr Add Activity and Stress factors e.g. 10% for bedbound + 20-60% for sepsis/burns For 65kg woman ventilated woman with sepsis: 1670 Kcal = approx 25 Kcal/kg/24hr No dietitian? Rough guide: 25 Kcal/kg/day total energy. Increase to 30 as patient improves
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How much togive? 0.2g/Kg/day of Nitrogen (1.25g/kg/day protein) 30 – 35ml fluid/kg/24 hours baseline Add 2-2.5ml/kg/day of fluid for each degree of temperature Account for excess fluid losses Adequate electrolytes, micronutrients, vitamins Avoid overfeeding Obesity: feed to BMR, add stress factor only if severe i.e. burns/trauma
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Refeeding Syndrome Prisonersof war 1944-5, 1944: conscientious objectors in USA studied Starvation: early use of glycogen stores for AAs - gluconeogenesis; 72 hrs: FFA oxidation; use of FFAs and ketones for energy source, low insulin Atrophy of organs, reduced lean body mass
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Refeeding syndrome CHFeeding: shift to CH metabolism: insulin release Stimulates PO 4 2- and K + shift into cells. PO 4 2- drops lower (ATP, 2-3DPG). Mg 2+ loss in urine 2 o low PO 4 2- (Na+K + ATPase) May get Lactic acidosis 2 o conversion of pyruvate to lactate Na + and H 2 O shift out of cells – oedema; ECF expansion 2 o reduced excretion of Na + and H 2 O; Hyperinsulinaemia is antinatriuretic Protein synthesis increases cellr demand for PO 4 2- and K + Thiamine deficiency occurs (co-factor in CH metabolism): encephalopathy
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Refeeding Syndrome inICU Unlikely to be a clear diagnosis Many deleterious effects: oedema, arrhythmias, pulmonary oedema, cardiac decompensation, respiratory weakness, fits, hypotension, leukocyte dysfunction, diarrhoea, coma, rhabdomyolysis, sudden death Screen: nutritional history and electrolytes Remember in HDU patients/malnourished ward patients Poor awareness among doctors!
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Risk of re-feedingsyndrome Two or more of the following: BMI less than 18.5 kg/m 2 (<16) unintentional weight loss greater than 10% within the last 3-6 months (>15%) little or no nutritional intake for more than 5 days (>10) Hx alcohol abuse or drugs including insulin, chemotherapy, antacids or diuretics (Critically low levels of PO 4 2- , K + and Mg 2+)
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Managing refeeding problemsprovide Thiamine/multivitamin/trace element supplementation start nutrition support at 5-10 kcal/kg/day increase levels slowly restore circulatory volume monitor fluid balance and clinical status replace PO 4 2- , K + and Mg 2+ Reduce feeding rate if problems arise NICE Guidelines for Nutrition Support in Adults 2006
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IMMUNONUTRITION Human EvolutionNo ambulances/hospitals First 72 hours after severe illness or injury crucial Little hope of survival past this; not desirable Significant stores of stress substrates not necessary e.g. glutamine
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The Immune SystemA complex and interactive biological system that coordinates the detection, destruction and elimination of any foreign material or organism entering the body. Oxidants: cytokines, NFkB, genes, inflam n Nutrients: glutamine, FFAs, protein Glutathione: oxidant defence Anti-inflammatory molecules: attenuation
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Critical Illness Sepsis:Battle between inflammatory response and microbes/toxins Trauma: SIRS to non-infectious insult Minor insult: inflammatory response wins Major insult: with support (antibiotics, fluids) body may be able to fight insult but in severe insult inflammatory response continues and causes organ damage, f/b immune paresis and 2 ° infection; death
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THE ICU GAMBLEHow to tip the scales? Inflammation, organ failure Inflammation and resolution DEATH LIFE DISABILITY
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Critical Illness Smallreductions in mortality over years Increasing problems with infection Advances in treatment have limited effects Pathophysiology complex The future: replacement of the body’s own ‘stress substrates’ Could immunonutrition be the most important area in critical care development?
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Failed ICU strategiesAnti-TNF antibodies Steroids in sepsis – recent work suggests little effect NO synthetase inhibitor: increased mortality ??? Activated protein C - controversial
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Immuno/Pharmaconutrition ‘ Disease-modulating’nutrients Attenuate metabolic response Prevent oxidant stress Favourably modulate immune response Probiotics to alter gut environment Glycaemic control: keep blood glucose <8mmol/l: reduces infections and organ failures
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Glutamine Non-essential aminoacid – ‘conditionally essential’ in sepsis/major trauma Vital to gut, immune cells, and kidney Serves as metabolic fuel; precursor to DNA synthesis BUT Levels drop after injury, exercise and stress. Very low in critical illness first 72 hours Glutamine deficiency at onset of critical illness/sepsis correlated with increased mortality
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Potential Beneficial Effectsof Glutamine GLN pool Wischmeyer PE, Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 6: 217-222, 2003 Fuel for Enterocytes Fuel for Lymphocytes Nuclotide Synthesis Maintenance of Intestinal Mucosal Barrier Maintenance of Lymphocyte Function Preservation of TCA Function Decreased Free Radical availability (Anti-inflammatory action) Glutathione Synthesis Glutamine Therapy Enhanced Heat Shock Protein Anti-catabolic effect Preservation of Muscle mass Reduced Translocation Enteric Bacteria or Endotoxins Reduction of Infectious complications Inflammatory Cytokine Attenuation NF-kB ? Preserved Cellular Energetics- ATP content GLN Pool Critical Illness Enhanced insulin sensitivity
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Glutamine trials Modestreduction in mortality/infections in 9 studies of glutamine-supplemented PN Improvement in morbidity and mortality in 2 studies of enteral glutamine in burns and trauma patients CCCN recommend enteral glutamine for burns and trauma and IV glutamine to be given with parenteral nutrition SIGNET and REDOXs awaited
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PROBIOTICS Live micro-organismswhich when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host Bioecological control: Supply viable beneficial bacteria, or a substrate which enhances specific beneficial bacteria, instead of trying to eliminate the pathogen
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Probiotics Critical illnesscauses virulence of gut bacteria; treatment worsens gut function Probiotics inhibit growth of pathogenic enteric bacteria block epithelial invasion by pathogens eliminate pathogenic toxins improve mucosal barrier function enhance T-cell and macrophage function reduce production of TNF and NFkB
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Probiotics Potential tocut VAP and C. diff BUT: safety concerns dosage which bacteria to use viability in the gut storage issues unforeseen effects More research required
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Arginine ‘ Conditionallyessential’ amino acid derived from glutamine and citrulline For protein synthesis, cell division, NO, urea cycle, creatine phosphate (ATP) Stimulates hormone release Deficiency: Immune suppression, ↓TH2 cell function, free radical formation Abnormal microperfusion Abnormal wound healing
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Sepsis Sepsis: iNOS,dendritic cells, IL-1, IL-6 TH1 cytokine profile: IL-2,TNF,interferon- ү Arginine deficiency not severe in sepsis Little drop in plasma arginine levels CCCN: not recommended (harm?)
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Trauma Trauma: IL-10,poor antigen presentation, TH2 cytokine profile: IL-4, IL-13 Pathologic release of arginase from myeloid suppressor cells, hepatocytes, RBCs Significant drop in arginine levels in trauma CCCN: not recommended – future role? Pre-operative patients, cancer, sickle cell, haemolytic anaemia, PIH
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PUFAs Arachidonic Acid: COX and LOX precursor: Omega-6 ү -Linoleic acid (GLA) – borage oil Fish oils: Eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and Docosahexanoic acid (DHA): Omega-3 FAs
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Dietary Lipids Ratiosin paleolithic diet ω -6: ω -3 1:1 Current Western diet 16.7:1 Current UK PN Soybean oil base 7:1 (LCT) New PN (‘SMOF’) 2.5:1 (LCT/MCT) Membrane composition depends on diet AA arises from GLA AA, DHA and EPA are present in inflammatory cell membrane phospholipids Hydrolysis of FAs by phospholipase to mediators
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Mechanisms of Actionω -3s EPA/DHA are incorporated quickly into cell membrane: inhibit ω -6 activity Promote synthesis of low activity PGs and LTs Decrease expression of adhesion molecules Inhibits monocyte prod n of pro-inflamm cytokines Decreases NFkB, increases lymphocyte apoptosis Decreases pro-inflammatory gene expression Lipoxins, resolvins and protectins
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Borage Oil DGLAPGE 1 and fewer Inflammatory Eicosanoids Substitution of AA By DGLA resulting in: Fish Oil Fewer Inflammatory Eicosanoids (TXA 3 , PGE 3 , LTB 5 ) Substitution of AA By EPA Resulting in: Arachidonic Acid Cyclooxygenase Lipoxygenase Pro-Inflammatory Eicosanoids (LTB 4 , TXA 2 , PGE 2 ) Decrease in X Mechanisms of Action GLA EPA
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3 Studies: OXEPAPatients with ARDS fed with GLA, EPA and antioxidants had a reduction in pulmonary neutrophils Improvement in oxygenation Decrease in ventilator days Decrease in ICU and hospital days Gadek, Singer, Pontes-Arruda (sepsis)
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Omega-3 Fatty AcidsBUT Control group had high fat diet – bad? Was it the FAs or the antioxidants or both? CCCN – consider in ARDS i.e. OXEPA mix Other researchers: not enough evidence Science makes sense; works in IHD, PVD
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Anti-oxidants Normal state:reduction > oxidation Acute stress: injury/sepsis causes acute dysregulation: ROS/RNOS formed Mitochondria are both sources and targets Observational studies: anti-oxidant capacity inversely correlated with disease severity due to depletion during oxidative stress REDUCTION OXIDATION
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Reactive Oxygen SpeciesO - , NO - Positive actions: Bactericidal Regulation of vascular tone Cell signalling But mostly detrimental: Cell injury (ischaemia /reperfusion) DNA, Lipids, Proteins Organ dysfunction Lungs, Heart, Kidney Liver, Blood, Brain OXIDATION REDUCTION
Antioxidants Glutathione, VitaminsA, C and E Zinc, copper, manganese, iron, selenium Already added to feeds Should we give extra CCCN – ‘consider’ Results of SIGNET and REDOXs awaited Oxidative stress in critically ill patients contributes to organ damage / malignant inflammation
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Which Nutrient forWhich Population? Canadian Clinical Practice Guidelines JPEN 2003;27:355 Recom-mend … … … … … Omega 3 FFA … … … … Consider … Anti-oxidants … EN Possibly Beneficial: Consider EN Possibly Beneficial: Consider … PN Beneficial Recom-mend Possible Benefit Glutamine No benefit No benefit (Possible benefit) Harm(?) No benefit Benefit Arginine Acute Lung Injury Burns Trauma Septic General Elective Surgery Critically Ill
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Immunonutrition- the future?The right nutrient or combination Correct dose The appropriate timing The right patient and circumstance The appropriate assessment of efficacy Balance between harm and benefit of the immune response ?? Nutrient-gene interactions
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Now More &better trials of Immunonutrition Early PN supplementation trial Meanwhile: the basics- screening, reaching goals, protocols, refeeding HDU feeding Profile of Nutrition: Education, dialogue Funding
#26 NOTES FOR PRESENTERS For the purposes of this guideline, enteral tube feeding refers to the delivery of a nutritionally complete feed (containing protein or amino acids, carbohydrate with or without fibre, fat, water, minerals and vitamins) directly into the gut via a tube. The tube is usually placed into the stomach, duodenum or jejunum via either the nose, mouth or the direct percutaneous route. Enteral tube feeding is not exclusive and can be used in combination with oral and/or parenteral nutrition. Patients receiving enteral tube feeding should be reviewed regularly to enable re-instigation of oral nutrition when appropriate. Most enteral feeding tubes are introduced at the bedside but some are placed surgically, at endoscopy or using radiological techniques, and some are inserted in the community. Enteral tube feeding should be considered for patients who are malnourished or at risk of malnourishment, who can’t be fed orally and who have a working and accessible gut. Whenever possible the patient should be aware of why this form of nutrition support is necessary, how it will be given, for how long, and the potential risks involved. There may be considerable ethical difficulties in deciding if it is in a patient’s best interests to start a tube feed.
#27 NOTES FOR PRESENTERS Parenteral nutrition refers to the administration of nutrients by the intravenous route. It is usually administered via a dedicated central or peripheral placed line. Parenteral feeding should be considered in patients for whom oral or enteral feeding isn’t appropriate or they have an inaccessible or perforated gut. Parenteral nutrition is an invasive and relatively expensive form of nutrition support (equivalent to most ‘new generation’ IV antibiotics daily) and in inexperienced hands, can be associated with risks from line placement, line infections, thrombosis and metabolic disturbance. Careful consideration is therefore needed when deciding to who, when and how this form of nutrition support should be given. Whenever possible, patients should be aware of why this form of nutrition support is needed and its potential risks and benefits. The feed should be given progressively, and monitored closely. Parenteral feeding should be stopped when the patient is established on feeding from the oral or enteral route. Whichever method of feeding is chosen, the patient should be monitored, and any adjustments needed made accordingly.
#41 NOTES FOR PRESENTERS Please refer to the NICE Quick Reference Guide – page 19