S. Mattens

Nutritional and Metabolic Alterations during Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy

Adequate feeding of critically ill patients under continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) remains a challenging issue. We performed a systematic search of the literature published between 1992 and 2012 using the quorum guidelines regarding nutrition in intensive care unit patients treated with CRRT. Daily recommended energy requirements during CRRT are between 25 and 35 kcal/kg with carbohydrates and lipids accounting for 60-70% and 30-40% of calorie intake, respectively. Daily protein needs range from 1.5 to 1.8 g/kg. Indirect calorimetry corrected for CRRT-induced CO2 diversion should be used to more correctly match calorie intake to the real needs. This type of tool is not yet available but hopefully soon. Electrolyte deficit as well as overload have been described during CRRT but, in general, can be easily controlled. Although not strongly evidenced, consensus exists to supplement important micronutrients such as amino acids (glutamine), water-soluble vitamins and trace elements.

Nutrition therapy in cachectic cancer patients. The Tight Caloric Control (TiCaCo) pilot trial.

BACKGROUND Cancer is a common disease and many patients are diagnosed with advanced stages. Due to cancer generalization, patients may become ill-nourished and even cachectic. Malignancy-related cachexia is associated with worsening physical function, reduced tolerance to anticancer therapy and increased mortality. We assessed the effect of a patient-tailored nutritional approach in newly discovered, treatment-naive cancer patients with cachexia. METHODS In a randomized, single-blinded, controlled pilot study, patients were treated with either intensive, biometric parameter-oriented dietary counseling (nutrition therapy) compared to regular dietary counseling (control), before and during conventional cancer treatment. Twenty patients were enrolled over a one-year period, 10 receiving nutrition therapy and 10 controls. The primary endpoint was recovery of body composition after nutrition therapy. Secondary endpoints declined in morbidity and mortality with nutrition therapy. RESULTS Average weight evolution in the control group after 3, 6 and 12 months was 0.19 ± 7.87 kg, -9.78 ± 7.00 kg and -5.8 kg, and in the nutrition therapy group 0.69 ± 2.4 kg, 0.77 ± 2.58 kg and 1.29 ± 3.76 kg. Control patients had a significantly longer average hospital stay than subjects from the nutrition therapy group (37.6 vs. 3.4 days). Eight nutrition therapy patients and 1 control patient were still alive after 2 years. CONCLUSIONS Nutrition therapy based on patient-specific biophysical parameters helps to maintain body weight and induces a more optimal nutritional balance in cachectic cancer patients. Moreover, survival in cancer patients improved when their nutritional status, even partially, ameliorated.

Bedside Calculation of Energy Expenditure Does Not Guarantee Adequate Caloric Prescription in Long-Term Mechanically Ventilated Critically Ill Patients: A Quality Control Study

Nutrition is essential in critically ill patients, but translating caloric prescriptions into adequate caloric intake remains challenging. Caloric prescriptions (P), effective intake (I), and caloric needs (N), calculated with modified Harris-Benedict formulas, were recorded during seven consecutive days in ventilated patients. Adequacy of prescription was estimated by P/N ratio. I/P ratio assessed accuracy of translating a prescription into administered feeding. I/N ratio compared delivered calories with theoretical caloric needs. Fifty patients were prospectively studied in a mixed medicosurgical ICU in a teaching hospital. Basal and total energy expenditure were, respectively, 1361 ± 171 kcal/d and 1649 ± 233 kcal/d. P and I attained 1536 ± 602 kcal/d and 1424 ± 572 kcal/d, respectively. 24.6% prescriptions were accurate, and 24.3% calories were correctly administered. Excessive calories were prescribed in 35.4% of patients, 27.4% being overfed. Caloric needs were underestimated in 40% prescriptions, with 48.3% patients underfed. Calculating caloric requirements by a modified standard formula covered energy needs in only 25% of long-term mechanically ventilated patients, leaving many over- or underfed. Nutritional imbalance mainly resulted from incorrect prescription. Failure of “simple” calculations to direct caloric prescription in these patients suggests systematic use of more reliable methods, for example, indirect calorimetry.

Measuring resting energy expenditure during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: preliminary clinical experience with a proposed theoretical model.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is increasingly used in patients with severe respiratory failure. Indirect calorimetry (IC) is a safe and non‐invasive method for measuring resting energy expenditure (REE). No data exist on the use of IC in ECMO‐treated patients as oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide elimination are divided between mechanical ventilation and the artificial lung. We report our preliminary clinical experience with a theoretical model that derives REE from IC measurements obtained separately on the ventilator and on the artificial lung.

Calculating energy needs in critically ill patients: Sense or nonsense?

Abstract High energy deficits due to underfeeding are frequently observed during critical illness and are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Adequate determination of energy requirements is imperative for optimizing nutrition. For this goal, indirect calorimetry is considered to be the gold standard but it is expensive, time-consuming, and not readily available in many hospitals. As an alternative, most ICU physicians use bedside formulas to predict calorie needs. Some equations are obtained during resting metabolism in healthy humans and “corrected” by adding stress or injury factors. Others are derived from regression analysis in patients whereby various static and dynamic variables are identified and eventually adjusted for type of patient and/or disease. Few studies have evaluated the accuracy of predictive equations in critically ill patients. The largest prospective study to date identified the Penn State equation, including a modified version for obesity, as being the most accurate. Whether the systematic use of (a) particular formula(s) for estimating calorie needs may influence morbidity or outcome in ICU patients remains to be determined.

PP137-MON THE CALORIC INTAKE OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING CARDIAC SURGERY

Rationale: Nutrition plays a very important role in surgical patients. Malnutrition has been proven to be an independent risk factor in correlation to postoperative outcome. Little is known about the cumulative energetic intake of patients undergoing cardiac surgery, certainly when compared to their caloric needs. Methods: An observational study was conducted in patients undergoing elective CABG (Coronary artery bypass graft) or valve surgery at the University Hospital Brussels, from February 2012 to April 2012. Preoperative nutritional status was assessed using the NRS 2002, a blood sample and a clinical evaluation. Metabolic needs were calculated using the Harris Benedict formula. The daily caloric intake was objectified by a nutritionist, on the Intensive Care Unit and the ward. Intravenous solutions, parenteral and enteral nutrition were taken in to account in the caloric intake. The caloric deficits were determined. Results: Of the 19 patients that were included mean age was 70±10 years and 74% were male. Mean APACHE II score was 13±6. The Total Energy Expenditure was 2049±430 kcal/day. The Total Caloric Intake was 765±450 kcal/day (37% of the TEE). On 213 days of hospitalization, the energy deficit was 265,835±606 kcal. Only patients who received parenteral or enteral feeding (10%) achieved their recommended caloric intake on 4 occasions. Conclusion: Caloric deficits, although relatively easy treatable, are a major and underestimated problem in patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery.