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. 2012 Mar 26:2:109.
doi: 10.4172/2161-0509.1000109.

Immune Enteral Nutrition Can Improve Outcomes in Medical-Surgical Patients with ARDS: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Elamin M Elamin  1 , Andrew C Miller  2 , Sophia Ziad  3
Affiliations

Immune Enteral Nutrition Can Improve Outcomes in Medical-Surgical Patients with ARDS: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial

Elamin M Elamin et al. J Nutr Disord Ther. .

Abstract

Objective: To determine if early continuous enteral feeding of a diet containing eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), docosahexaenoic acid, and antioxidants in surgical-medical patients with ARDS improves Lung Injury Score (LIS), gas exchange, Multiple Organ Dysfunction (MOD) Score, ICU length of stay, and days on mechanical ventilation.

Methods: Prospective randomized 2-center double-blind controlled trial of 17 ARDS patients whom continuously tube-fed the experimental diet (n=9) or an isonitrogenous, isocaloric standard diet (n=8) at a minimum caloric delivery of 90% of basal energy expenditure.

Results: In the experimental group, there was a decrease in lung injury score (p < 0.003) and lower ventilation variables (p < 0.001). Patients in the experimental group had a statistically significant decrease in 28-day MOD score (p < 0.05). The length of ICU stay was significantly decreased in the experimental group (12.8 vs. 17.5 days; p = 0.01). The study was underpowered to detect any survival benefits between the two groups.

Conclusion: An EPA and GLA supplemented diet contributes to improved gas exchange in addition to decrease LIS, MOD scores and length of ICU stay in patients with ARDS. An EPA+GLA-enriched enteral diet may be an effective tool in the medical management of ARDS.

Keywords: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); Antioxidant; Eicosapentaenoic acid; Enteral nutrition; Gamma-linolenic acid; Multiple organ dysfunction.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The metabolism of Omega-3- and Omega-6-Fatty Acids.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Study flow diagram.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Effects of EPA and GLA enteral feedings on Multiple Organ Dysfunction (MOD) scores comparing to the control group.
Figure 4
Figure 4
The effects of EPA+GPA diet on length of ICU stay comparing to the control group.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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