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Does Ileus Represent the Forgotten End Organ Failure in Critical Illness?

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

This review evaluates the current literature on ileus, impaired gastrointestinal transit (IGT), and acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) and its impact on multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.

Recent Findings

Ileus is often under recognized in critically ill patients and is associated with significant morbidity and is potentially a marker of disease severity as seen in other organs like kidneys (ATN).

Summary

A cohesive approach to the recognition, early diagnosis, and treatment of ileus in critically ill patients will help clear up its role in critical illness. It is important for the clinician to identify ileus in the setting of critical ileus and mitigate its impact on clinical outcomes mainly by affecting nutrition delivery and abortion. At worst, IGT can worsen clinical outcomes in the setting of critical illness and mitigating its impact is important.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Trauma Surgery, Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Johnson City, TN, USA

    Christy M. Lawson, Cecilia Kim & Elizabeth Mannino

  2. Department of Internal Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA

    Chris Jones

  3. Department of Gastroenterology, Borland Groover Clinic, Fleming Island, FL, USA

    Michael Herman

  4. Department of Gastroenterology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA

    Endashaw Omer

  5. Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinc, Jacksonville, FL, USA

    Carlas Venegas

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  1. Christy M. Lawson
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  2. Chris Jones
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  3. Michael Herman
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  4. Cecilia Kim
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  7. Carlas Venegas
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We worked collaboratively. Dr. Endashaw revised the document.

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Correspondence to Christy M. Lawson.

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Lawson, C.M., Jones, C., Herman, M. et al. Does Ileus Represent the Forgotten End Organ Failure in Critical Illness?. Curr Gastroenterol Rep (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-023-00910-8

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