Role of the nutrition-focused physical examination in identifying malnutrition and its effectiveness.

It has long been recognized that malnutrition changes physical appearance, as evidenced by muscle wasting, losses of fat stores, signs of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and reduced physical activity. Malnutrition is associated with poor clinical outcomes and quality of life. Various nutrition assessment parameters have been used to determine the presence and degree of malnutrition, including use of anthropometric measurements and laboratory values.

Enteral Formulas in Nutrition Support Practice: Is There a Better Choice for Your Patient?

Over the past few decades, the number of enteral formulas for use in hospitalized, critically ill, and home enteral patients has dramatically increased. Several enteral nutrition (EN) formula categories exist, which makes it challenging for clinicians to sort through the product claims and find the appropriate formula for the patient. Many formulas are available within each category, some of which may be significantly different from one another.

Nutrition intervention in the critically ill cardiothoracic patient.

Despite acute myocardial infarction and cardiac surgery accounting for 2 of the most common reasons patients are admitted to the intensive care unit, little attention and investigation have been directed specifically for these patients. This patient population therefore deserves special attention as they are often malnourished but require emergent interventions, making nutrition intervention challenging. This article reviews current medical interventions implemented in critically ill cardiothoracic patients and discusses evidence-based nutrition therapy, including enteral and parenteral feeding, glycemic control, and antioxidant provision.

Evaluation of delivery of enteral nutrition in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation.

Background: Published reports consistently describe incomplete delivery of prescribed enteral nutrition. Which specific step in the process delays or interferes with the administration of a full dose of nutrients is unclear.

Objectives: To assess factors associated with interruptions in enteral nutrition in critically ill patients receiving mechanical ventilation.

Protein catabolic rate in patients with acute renal failure on continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration and total parenteral nutrition.

Continuous arteriovenous hemofiltration (CAVH) has been used to provide nutrition support to critically ill patients in acute renal failure (ARF). Limited information exists regarding protein needs of these patients. Nineteen postoperative patients in ARF and on CAVH and total parenteral nutrition (TPN) were studied (10 men; 9 women; mean age, 65 yr) to determine protein needs (protein catabolic rate; PCR), urea nitrogen appearance (UNA), and total nitrogen appearance (TNA).