Early goal-directed nutrition versus standard of care in adult intensive care patients: the single-centre, randomised, outcome assessor-blinded EAT-ICU trial.

Purpose: We assessed the effects of early goal-directed nutrition (EGDN) vs. standard nutritional care in adult intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

Methods: We randomised acutely admitted, mechanically ventilated ICU patients expected to stay longer than 3 days in the ICU.

Early goal-directed nutrition in ICU patients (EAT-ICU): protocol for a randomised trial.

Introduction: Extensive weight loss has been docu-mented in intensive care unit (ICU) survivors, primarily as the result of muscle loss, leading to impaired physical function and reduced quality of life. The aim of the EAT-ICU trial is to test the effect of early goal-directed protein-energy nutrition based on measured requirements on short-term clinical outcomes and long-term physical quality of life in ICU patients.

Methods: The EAT-ICU trial is a single-centre, randomised, parallel-group trial with concealed allocation and blinded outcome assessment.

Indirect Calorimetry in Mechanically Ventilated Patients: A Prospective, Randomized, Clinical Validation of 2 Devices Against a Gold Standard.

Background And Aims: The 2 currently available indirect calorimeters, CCM Express Indirect Calorimeter (MedGraphics, St Paul, MN) and Quark RMR ICU Indirect Calorimeter (COSMED, Rome, Italy), have not been validated against a gold standard in mechanically ventilated patients. Our aim was to do so using a gold-standard, modified Tissot bell-spirometer method in mechanically ventilated patients who were hemodynamically, respiratory, and metabolically stable.

Methods: We studied 30 patients undergoing general anesthesia and major gynecological surgery.

Provision of protein and energy in relation to measured requirements in intensive care patients.

Background & Aims: Adequacy of nutritional support in intensive care patients is still a matter of investigation. This study aimed to relate mortality to provision, measured requirements and balances for energy and protein in ICU patients.

Design: Prospective observational cohort study of 113 ICU patients in a tertiary referral hospital.

[Heat stroke and burns resulting from use of sauna].

We describe a case of severe heat stroke resulting from exposure to extreme heat in a sauna for an unknown period of time. The patient sustained 20% 2nd degree burns. On arrival at the emergency department, the patient's temperature was 40.

[What is intensive care medicine? Multidisciplinary intensive care units].

Intensive care medicine is described from a multidisciplinary point of view. The term "multidisciplinary" is used, although "multispeciality" may be more appropriate. Intensive care medicine is defined as an observational, diagnostical and therapeutical approach to the critically-ill patient, requiring specialized medical and nursing skills that cannot be met in a general ward.

Procalcitonin increase in early identification of critically ill patients at high risk of mortality.

Objective: To investigate day-by-day changes in procalcitonin and maximum obtained levels as predictors of mortality in critically ill patients.

Design: Prospective observational cohort study.

Setting: : Multidisciplinary intensive care unit at Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, a tertiary reference hospital in Denmark.