Nutritional Optimization of the Surgical Patient: A Narrative Review.

An increasing body of literature supports the clinical benefit of nutritional assessment and optimization in surgical patients; however, these data has yet to be consolidated in a practical fashion for use by surgeons. In this narrative review, we concisely aggregate emerging data to highlight the role of nutritional optimization as a promising, practical perioperative intervention to reduce complications and improve outcomes in surgical patients. A narrative review of the surgical nutrition literature was conducted via large database review.

Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Timing in eICU Collaborative Research Database by Race: A Retrospective Observational Study.

Introduction: Racial and ethnic disparities in malnutrition are well-known, but it is unknown if there are disparities in early nutrition delivery for intensive care unit (ICU) patients, which is associated with better outcomes. We investigated the timing of enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition (PN) initiation in the ICU, examining for racial differences.

Methods: Using the eICU-Collaborative Research Database (eICU-CRD) from 2014 to 2015, we analyzed patients eligible for EN and PN from 208 hospitals.

Addressing the Urgent Need for Clinical Nutrition Education in PostGraduate Medical Training: New Programs and Credentialing.

The importance of nutrition in the development of disease, and in the recovery from illness, is among the most fundamental tenets in human biology and optimal health. Nutrition was fundamental in many traditional forms of medicine until its role in medical care experienced a rapid decline over the last century. We believe a key cause of the decline in nutrition's essential role in healthcare and preventative medicine is the escalating crisis of inadequate nutrition education in medical training.

Diagnosing Sarcopenia with AI-Aided Ultrasound (DINOSAUR)-A Pilot Study.

Sarcopenia has been recognized as a determining factor in surgical outcomes and is associated with an increased risk of postoperative complications and readmission. Diagnosis is currently based on clinical guidelines, which includes assessment of skeletal muscle mass but not quality. Ultrasound has been proposed as a useful point-of-care diagnostic tool to assess muscle quality, but no validated cut-offs for sarcopenia have been reported.

Ketamine analgo-sedation for mechanically ventilated critically ill adults: A rapid practice guideline from the Saudi Critical Care Society and the Scandinavian Society of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.

Background: This Rapid Practice Guideline (RPG) aimed to provide evidence-based recommendations for ketamine analgo-sedation (monotherapy and adjunct) versus non-ketamine sedatives or usual care in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients on invasive mechanical ventilation (iMV) and to identify knowledge gaps for future research.

Methods: The RPG panel comprised 23 multinational multidisciplinary panelists, including a patient representative. An up-to-date systematic review and meta-analysis constituted the evidence base.

Predictive Energy Equations Inaccurately Estimate Metabolic Demands of Older Adult Trauma Patients.

Introduction: Suboptimal nutrition promotes unfavorable outcomes in trauma patients, particularly among those aged 60 and over. While many institutions employ predictive energy equations to determine patients' energy requirements, mounting evidence shows these equations inaccurately estimate caloric needs. In this pilot randomized controlled trial, we sought to quantify the discrepancy between predictive equations and indirect calorimetry (IC)-the gold standard for determining energy requirements-in the older adult trauma population.

How to interpret and apply the results of indirect calorimetry studies: A case-based tutorial.

Evidence is growing that the individual adjustment of energy targets guided by indirect calorimetry (IC) can improve outcome. With the development of a new generation of devices that are easier to use and rapid, it appears important to share knowledge and expertise that may be used to individualize nutrition care. Despite the focus of this tutorial being on one contemporary device, the principles of IC apply across existing devices and can assist tailoring the nutrition prescription and in assessing response to nutrition therapy.

Association between protein intake and functional capacity in critically ill patients: A retrospective cohort study.

Background: Intensive care unit (ICU) protein benchmarks are based on mortality and morbidity; whether these targets also support functional recovery is unknown. We assessed whether different protein doses influenced patients' functional capacity, measured by the Chelsea Physical Assessment score (CPAx).

Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study on ICU survivors with length of stay ≥7 days admitted between October 2014 and September 2020.

Safety and quality of parenteral nutrition: Areas for improvement and future perspectives.

Purpose: This article is based on presentations and discussions held at the International Safety and Quality of Parenteral Nutrition (PN) Summit (held November 8-10, 2021, at Charleston, SC, and Bad Homburg, Germany) and aims to raise awareness concerning unresolved issues associated with the PN process and potential future directions, including a greater emphasis on patients' perspectives and the role of patient support.

Summary: Ensuring that every patient in need receives adequate PN support remains challenging. It is important to have a standardized approach to identify nutritional risk and requirements using validated nutritional screening and assessment tools.

Parenteral nutrition in clinical practice: International challenges and strategies.

Purpose: Parenteral nutrition (PN) is an established therapy when oral/enteral feeding is not sufficient or is contraindicated, but nevertheless PN remains a complex, high-alert medication that is susceptible to errors that may affect patient safety. Over time, considerable progress has been made to make PN practices safer. The purpose of this article is to address ongoing challenges to improve the PN use process from prescription to administration and monitoring, and to outline practical aspects fostering the safety, quality, and cost-effectiveness of PN, as discussed at the International Safety and Quality of PN Summit.

Parenteral nutrition in the hospital setting/short-term parenteral nutrition.

Purpose: This article is based on presentations and discussions held at the International Safety and Quality of Parenteral Nutrition (PN) Summit concerning the acute care setting. Some European practices presented in this article do not conform with USP general chapter <797> requirements. Nevertheless, the purpose is to cover the challenges experienced in delivering high-quality PN within hospitals in the United States and Europe, in order to share best practices and experiences more widely.

Expert consensus statements and summary of proceedings from the International Safety and Quality of Parenteral Nutrition Summit.

Purpose: The International Safety and Quality of Parenteral Nutrition (PN) Summit consisted of presentations, discussions, and formulation of consensus statements. The purpose here is to briefly summarize the summit and to present the consensus statements.

Summary: There was a high degree of consensus, with all statements approved by all authors/summit experts.

Racial and ethnic demographics in malnutrition related deaths.

Background And Aims: Currently, 40 million Americans are food insecure. They are forced to skip meals and buy non-nutritious food, leading to health disparities for those of low socioeconomic status. This study aims to investigate relationships between malnutrition deaths and sociodemographic groups.

Efficacy of probiotic treatment as post-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19: A double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Randomized trial.

Background & Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose unprecedented challenges to worldwide health. While vaccines are effective, additional strategies to mitigate the spread/severity of COVID-19 continue to be needed. Emerging evidence suggests susceptibility to respiratory tract infections in healthy subjects can be reduced by probiotic interventions; thus, probiotics may be a low-risk, low-cost, and easily implementable modality to reduce risk of COVID-19.

A pilot study to assess the feasibility of a remotely monitored high-intensity interval training program prior to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Introduction: Although allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) can be a curative therapy for hematologic disorders, it is associated with treatment-related complications and losses in cardiorespiratory fitness and physical function. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) may be a practical way to rapidly improve cardiorespiratory fitness and physical function in the weeks prior to HCT. The primary aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of implementing a pre-HCT home-based HIIT intervention.

Early enteral nutrition is associated with improved outcomes in critically ill mechanically ventilated medical and surgical patients.

Background And Aims: Data suggest that guidelines for enteral nutrition (EN) initiation are not closely followed in clinical practice. In addition, critically ill mechanically ventilated (MV) patients have varying metabolic needs, which often increase and persist over time, requiring personalized nutrition intervention. While both over- and under-nutrition can impact patient outcomes, recent data suggest that targeted early EN delivery may reduce mortality and improve clinical outcomes.

The Use of Parenteral Nutrition and Disparities in Its Allocation Following Traumatic Injury.

Introduction: Severe traumatic injury requires rapid and extensive deployment of resources to save the lives of the critically injured. The sequelae of traumatic injuries frequently require extensive intervention obligating patients to a complicated recovery process devoid of meaningful nutrition. In this setting, parenteral nutrition (PN) is key in enabling appropriate wound healing, recovery, and rehabilitation.