Jpen Parenter Enter
-
Jpen Parenter Enter · Sep 2004
Early enteral feedings in adults receiving venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
For over 20 years extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has been an advanced treatment for adults, children and neonates with severe respiratory failure that has failed to respond or improve with conventional therapy. Withholding enteral feeding in patients on ECMO is common practice in many centers, based partly on the risk of splanchnic ischemia resulting in loss of intestinal integrity, predisposing to bacterial translocation and sepsis. We report one center's experience with early enteral nutrition in adult patients receiving venovenous (VV) ECMO for severe respiratory failure. ⋯ Enteral nutrition started within the first 24 to 36 hours of initiating venovenous ECMO support is safe and well-tolerated in adults. No serious adverse events were attributable to enteral nutrition in these patients.
-
Jpen Parenter Enter · Sep 2004
Enteral nutrition and cardiovascular medications in the pediatric intensive care unit.
Enteral nutrition has multiple benefits for critically ill patients. However, the administration of enteral nutrition to patients requiring medications for cardiovascular support is controversial secondary to concerns of altered splanchnic perfusion. The objective of this study is to evaluate the tolerance of enteral nutrition in pediatric patients receiving cardiovascular medications. ⋯ This study suggests that many pediatric patients receiving cardiovascular medications tolerate enteral nutrition without adverse events. Further prospective studies are needed to determine whether enteral nutrition can consistently benefit these critically ill pediatric patients.