Administration of Free Amino Acids Improves Exogenous Amino Acid Availability when Compared with Intact Protein in Critically Ill Patients: A Randomized Controlled Study.

Background: Protein digestion and amino acid absorption appear compromised in critical illness. The provision of enteral feeds with free amino acids rather than intact protein may improve postprandial amino acid availability.

Objective: Our objective was to quantify the uptake of diet-derived phenylalanine after the enteral administration of intact protein compared with an equivalent amount of free amino acids in critically ill patients.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of the clinimetric properties of the core outcome measurement instruments for clinical effectiveness trials of nutritional and metabolic interventions in critical illness (CONCISE).

Background: CONCISE is an internationally agreed minimum set of outcomes for use in nutritional and metabolic clinical research in critically ill adults. Clinicians and researchers need to be aware of the clinimetric properties of these instruments and understand any limitations to ensure valid and reliable research. This systematic review and meta-analysis were undertaken to evaluate the clinimetric properties of the measurement instruments identified in CONCISE.

Nutritional strategies during gastrointestinal dysfunction.

Purpose Of Review: Gastrointestinal (GI) dysfunction is common among critically ill patients and is associated with poor outcomes. In particular, nutrient delivery can be impaired in patients with GI dysfunction and pose a significant challenge to clinicians in daily clinical practice. This review aims to summarize the impact of GI dysfunction on nutrition therapy during critical illness and provide an update on recent advances in nutritional strategies during gastrointestinal dysfunction.

The impact of high versus standard enteral protein provision on functional recovery following intensive care admission (PRECISE trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled, quadruple blinded, multicenter, parallel group trial in mechanically ventilated patients.

Background: Critically ill patients are subject to severe skeletal muscle wasting during intensive care unit (ICU) stay, resulting in impaired short- and long-term functional outcomes and health-related quality of life. Increased protein provision may improve functional outcomes in ICU patients by attenuating skeletal muscle breakdown. Supporting evidence is limited however and results in great variety in recommended protein targets.