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When Does Nutrition Impact Respiratory Function?

  • Nutrition and Obesity (S McClave, Section Editor)
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Abstract

Nutrition therapy is an essential aspect of patient care and an important determinant of outcomes in the ICU. Nutrition can impact respiratory function in a myriad of ways. Under- and overfeeding are two well-established ways by which nutrition impinges on respiratory function. Route of feeding, method of feeding, and carbohydrate composition of the diet are also other key factors regarding nutrition that influence outcomes in ICU patients. Recent studies are now elucidating the role of immune therapy in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome. In the ICU, nutrition dogmas, such as the necessity of checking gastric residual volumes or utilizing full-calorie enteric feeds, as opposed to trophic feeds, are constantly being challenged by innovative clinical studies. Basic research brings the prospect of testing new approaches for ICU patients, such as the use of antioxidants to prevent diaphragm weakness in these patients. In this review article, we evaluate the recent observational and randomized control trials to critically appraise the evidence regarding nutrition in the ICU.

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Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance, •• Of major importance

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Conflict of Interest

Karen. S. Allen declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Ishan Mehta declares that he has no conflict of interest.

Rodrigo Cavallazzi declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA

    Karen S. Allen

  2. Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep Disorders, University of Louisville, 550 S. Jackson Street, ACB, A3R27, Louisville, KY, 40202, USA

    Ishan Mehta & Rodrigo Cavallazzi

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  1. Karen S. Allen
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  2. Ishan Mehta
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  3. Rodrigo Cavallazzi
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Correspondence to Rodrigo Cavallazzi.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Nutrition and Obesity

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Allen, K.S., Mehta, I. & Cavallazzi, R. When Does Nutrition Impact Respiratory Function?. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 15, 327 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-013-0327-3

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