High fat, low carbohydrate, enteral feeding lowers PaCO2 and reduces the period of ventilation in artificially ventilated patients.
The objective of this study was to compare the effect of a high fat, low carbohydrate enteral feed with a standard isocaloric, isonitrogenous enteral feed on PaCO2 and ventilation time in patients with acute respiratory failure requiring artificial ventilation. 20 clinically stable patients requiring enteral feeding were randomized to either feed in a double-blind fashion. Initial ventilator standard settings were adjusted according to clinical state. Measurements including minute volume and arterial blood gases were made twice daily. Weaning was carried out according to set criteria. During the feeding period, PaCO2 just prior to weaning fell by 16% in the high fat group but increased by 4% in the standard feed group (p = 0.003). The high fat group spent a mean of 62 h less time on the ventilator (p = 0.006). A high fat, low carbohydrate enteral feed appears to be beneficial in patients undergoing artificial ventilation.
al-Saady
N M
NM
Department of Medicine, St. George's Hospital Medical School, London, UK.
Blackmore
C M
CM
Bennett
E D
ED
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004041:Dietary Fats / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004750:Enteral Nutrition / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008176:Lung Volume Measurements; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009751:Nutritional Requirements; D011897:Random Allocation; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000178:diet therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy
D004040:Dietary Carbohydrates; D004041:Dietary Fats