Randomized, prospective trial of antioxidant supplementation in critically ill surgical patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the effectiveness of early, routine antioxidant supplementation using alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid in reducing the rate of pulmonary morbidity and organ dysfunction in critically ill surgical patients.


BACKGROUND
Oxidative stress has been associated with the development of the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and organ failure through direct tissue injury and activation of genes integral to the inflammatory response. In addition, depletion of endogenous antioxidants has been associated with an increased risk of nosocomial infections. The authors postulated that antioxidant supplementation in critically ill surgical patients may reduce the incidence of ARDS, pneumonia, and organ dysfunction.


METHODS
This randomized, prospective study was conducted to compare outcomes in patients receiving antioxidant supplementation (alpha-tocopherol and ascorbate) versus those receiving standard care. The primary endpoint for analysis was pulmonary morbidity (a composite measure of ARDS and nosocomial pneumonia). Secondary endpoints included the development of multiple organ failure, duration of mechanical ventilation, length of ICU stay, and mortality.


RESULTS
Five hundred ninety-five patients were enrolled and analyzed, 91% of whom were victims of trauma. The relative risk of pulmonary morbidity was 0.81 (95% confidence interval 0.60-1.1) in patients receiving antioxidant supplementation. Multiple organ failure was significantly less likely to occur in patients receiving antioxidants than in patients receiving standard care, with a relative risk of 0.43 (95% confidence interval 0.19-0.96). Patients randomized to antioxidant supplementation also had a shorter duration of mechanical ventilation and length of ICU stay.


CONCLUSIONS
The early administration of antioxidant supplementation using alpha-tocopherol and ascorbic acid reduces the incidence of organ failure and shortens ICU length of stay in this cohort of critically ill surgical patients.
Nathens
Avery B
AB
Division of Trauma and General Surgery, Harborview Medical Center and the Department of Surgery, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA. anathens@u.washington.edu
Neff
Margaret J
MJ
Jurkovich
Gregory J
GJ
Klotz
Patricia
P
Farver
Katherine
K
Ruzinski
John T
JT
Radella
Frank
F
Garcia
Iris
I
Maier
Ronald V
RV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D016638:Critical Illness; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000517:prevention & control; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods / Q000401:mortality*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D000975:Antioxidants; D024502:alpha-Tocopherol; D001205:Ascorbic Acid