• A Berg, E Forsberg, and J Wernerman.
• Department of Anesthesiology & Intensive Care, Huddinge University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
• Clin Nutr. 2002 Apr 1;21(2):135-9.

Background And AimsThe beneficial effects of glutamine is well-documented in ICU patients. However, the documentation and control of enteral administration of glutamine is still insufficient. As an adjunct to enteral nutrition, a concentrated dipeptide solution may be given in a central venous line, but administration via a peripheral vein would be preferable. Therefore, we systematically evaluated local vascular tolerance following a concentrated dipeptide infusion in ICU-patients.MethodsICU-patients (n=20) were randomized to receive a 20% alanyl-glutamine infusion of 0.5 g/kg or placebo during 4 h in a peripheral vein on 3 consecutive days. Local tolerance was evaluated clinically, by Maddox score, and ultrasonically before the infusion and on days 1, 4 and 8 after the infusion.ResultsIn the study, 56 out of 60 (93%) planned infusions were administered and 157 out of 168 (93%) clinical evaluations were successfully performed. The ultrasonic evaluation revealed that the utilized veins had a diameter of 2.15+/-0.8 mm (range, 1.0--4.4 mm). There were no signs of thrombophlebitis in any single vein.ConclusionAdministration of a glutamine-containing dipeptide concentrate (20%) by peripheral veins is safe in terms of local tolerance, if a strict protocol is adapted for this purpose is used.Copyright 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd.

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