Adequacy of nutrition support during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Research progress on nutritional support in the neonatal and pediatric populations receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Nutritional support is crucial for the prognosis of children supported by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This article discusses the latest research progress and guideline recommendations for nutritional support during ECMO. We summarize the nutritional status and evaluation of ECMO patients, nutritional support methods and timing, trace elements, the impact of continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), and energy requirements and algorithms. The article shows that malnutrition is high in ECMO patients compared to other critically ill patients, with nearly one-third of patients experiencing a decrease in nutritional indicators. The timing of the initiation of nutrition is very important for the nutritional status of the child. Early enteral nutrition can improve patient prognosis, which is the most commonly used, with parenteral nutrition as a supplement. However, the proportion of enteral nutrition is relatively low, and a stepwise nutrition algorithm can determine when to initiate early enteral nutrition and parenteral nutrition. Malnourishment during critical illness have been associated with increased morbidity as well as increased mortality. Nutritional status should be evaluated at admission by screening tools. In addition, changes in the levels of several metabolites in vivo, such as blood lipids, carnitine, and thiamine, can also reflect the degree of nutritional deficiency in critically ill children. This article provides a reference for the implementation of nutrition of pediatric ECMO patients and further research on nutritional support.

Nutrition and outcomes in venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: An observational cohort study

BACKGROUND

Overfeeding and underfeeding are associated with negative outcomes during critical illness. The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the association between nutrition intake and outcomes for patients receiving venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

METHODS

Adults who received VV ECMO August 2017 to June 2020 were screened. Patients with <3 ECMO nutrition support days were excluded. Age, sex, height, weight, ideal body weight (IBW), body mass index, sequential organ failure assessment score, respiratory ECMO survival prediction score, energy, and protein goals were collected. All nutrition intake was collected for the first 14 days of ECMO or until death, decannulation, or oral diet initiation. Outcomes analyzed included mortality and VV ECMO duration. The relationship between nutrition delivery and outcomes was tested with multivariate analysis. Univariate analyses were conducted on obese and nonobese subgroups.

RESULTS

A total of 2044 nutrition days in 178 patients were analyzed. The median estimated needs were 24 (interquartile range: 22.3-28.3) kcal/kg/day and 2.25 (interquartile range: 2.25-2.77) g/kg/day of protein using IBW in patients with obesity and actual weight in patients without obesity. Patients received 83% of energy and 63.3% of protein targets. Patients with obesity who received ≥2 g/kg IBW of protein had a significantly shorter ECMO duration (P = 0.037). Increased protein intake was independently associated with a reduced risk of death (odds ratio: 0.06; 95% confidence interval: 0.01-0.43).

CONCLUSION

Higher protein intake was associated with reduced mortality. Optimal energy targets for patients receiving ECMO are currently unknown and warrant further study.

Nutrition support management of organ transplant recipients in the acute posttransplant phase

Patients who undergo solid organ transplant can have an extensive and challenging postoperative course. The chronicity of the disease state prior to transplant in combination with transplant-specific complications and immunosuppressant medications can lead to distinct challenges that are not observed in other critically ill patients. Although the manifestation of posttransplant complications may be specific to the organ being transplanted, there are common transplant challenges that affect nutrition therapy in these patients. Effects of malnutrition, metabolic aberrations, and posttransplant organ dysfunction should be considered when developing a nutrition care plan for patients in the immediate posttransplant phase. This article addresses the various complications that can arise in the immediate posttransplant phase among patients undergoing solid organ transplant and the appropriate nutrition interventions or considerations for this specialized patient population.

High protein intake and nitrogen balance in patients receiving venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A descriptive cohort study

BACKGROUND

This retrospective cohort study sought to describe the ability of high protein regimens to achieve nitrogen equilibrium in patients receiving venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV ECMO).

METHODS

Patients aged ≥18 years with a documented nitrogen balance study (NB) on VV ECMO between February 2018 and December 2021 were included. Studies with incomplete 24-h urine collections or changes in blood urea nitrogen ≥10 mg/dl were excluded. Data were summarized, correlation between first NB and potentially contributing variables was assessed with Kendall tau. Subanalysis described findings after stratifying for weight class (obese vs nonobese) and duration of VV ECMO at the time of NB.

RESULTS

A total of 68 NBs in 30 patients were included; 47% of the cohort had obesity. The number of NBs per patient was 2.2 ± 1.1, which were completed on a median of 31.5 (interquartile range: 16, 53.8) days receiving ECMO. Nitrogen equilibrium or positive balance was achieved in 72% of studies despite elevated nitrogen excretion. Patients received 87.9 ± 16.8% of prescribed protein on NB days for average intakes of 2.4 ± 0.4 g/kg of actual weight per day and 2.4 ± 0.5 g/kg of ideal weight per day in patients without and with obesity. Median NB in patients without obesity was -1.46 (-8.96, 2.98) g/day and -0.21 (-10.58, 4.04) g/day in patients with obesity. A difference in median NB after stratification for timing was observed (P = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

Nitrogen equilibrium can be achieved with high protein intake in adults receiving VV ECMO. NB monitoring is one tool to individualize protein prescriptions throughout the course of VV ECMO.

Effect of timing of enteral nutrition initiation on poor prognosis in patients after cardiopulmonary bypass: A prospective observational study

OBJECTIVES

Current guidelines recommend that enteral nutrition (EN) be implemented as early as possible in patients after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), but the optimal time to initiate EN remains controversial. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of timing of EN initiation on poor prognosis in patients after CPB.

METHODS

This was a prospective observational study with patients who underwent CPB in a tertiary hospital from September 1, 2021, to January 31, 2022. The patients were divided into three groups according to the timing of EN initiation: <24 h, 24 to 48 h, and >48 h. Unconditional logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals to identify independent risk factors for poor prognosis.

RESULTS

The study included 579 patients, of whom 255 patients had EN initiated at <24 h (44%), 226 at 24 to 48 h (39%), and at >48 h (17%). With EN <24 h as a reference, multivariate logistic analysis showed that EN 24 to 48 h (OR, 1.854, P = 0.008) and EN >48 h (OR, 7.486, P <0.001) were independent risk factors for poor prognosis after CPB. Age (OR, 1.032, P = 0.001), emergency surgery (OR, 10.051; P <0.001), surgical time (OR, 1.006; P <0.001), and sequential organ failure assessment score (OR, 1.269; P = 0.001) also increased the risk for poor prognosis after CPB.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with early EN <24 h, EN 24 to 48 h and EN >48 h increased the risk for poor prognosis in patients after CPB.

In critically ill adult patients with COVID-19, lower energy and higher protein intake are associated with fewer mechanical ventilation and antibiotic days but not with ICU length of stay

BACKGROUND

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) nutrition management guidelines recommend hypocaloric, high-protein feeding in the acute phase of critical illness. This study aimed to determine, among critically ill adults with COVID-19, whether nutrition support affects outcomes in nonobese patients when providing a mean energy intake of ≥20 kcal/kg/day vs <20 kcal/kg/day and protein intake of ≥1.2 g/kg/day vs <1.2 g/kg/day, using actual body weight, and in patients with obesity when providing ≥20 kcal/kg/day vs <20 kcal/kg/day and a protein intake of ≥2 g/kg/day vs <2 g/kg/day using ideal body weight.

METHODS

This retrospective study included adults with COVID-19 on mechanical ventilation (MV) admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) from 2020 to 2021. Clinical and nutrition parameters were recorded the first 14 days of ICU stay.

RESULTS

One hundred four patients were included: 79 (75.96%) were male and had a median age of 51 years and body mass index of 29.65 kg/m2 . ICU length of stay (LOS) was not affected by nutrition intake, but patients receiving <20 kcal/kg/day had fewer MV days (P = 0.029). In a subgroup analysis, MV days were lower in the nonobese group receiving <20 kcal/kg/day (P = 0.012). In the obese group, those receiving higher protein intake had fewer antibiotic days (P = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

In critically ill patients with COVID-19, lower energy and higher protein intake were respectively associated with fewer MV days and, in patients with obesity, fewer antibiotic days, but they had no effect on ICU LOS.

Modified indirect calorimetry for patients on venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: a pilot feasibility study

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Traditional indirect calorimetry is unable to capture complete gas exchange in patients receiving venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA ECMO). We aimed to determine the feasibility of using a modified indirect calorimetry protocol in patients receiving VA ECMO, report measured energy expenditure (EE) and compare EE to control critically ill patients.

SUBJECTS/METHODS

Mechanically ventilated adult patients receiving VA ECMO were included. EE was measured within 72 h of VA ECMO commencement (timepoint one [T1]) and on approximately day seven of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission (timepoint two [T2]). Traditional indirect calorimetry via the ventilator was combined with calculations of oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production derived from pre- and post-ECMO membrane blood gas analyses. Completion of ≥60% EE measurements was deemed feasible. Measured EE was compared between T1 and T2 and to control patients not receiving VA ECMO. Data is presented as n(%) and median[interquartile range (IQR)].

RESULTS

Twenty-one patients were recruited; 16(76%) male, aged 55[42-64] years. The protocol was feasible to complete at T1 (14(67%)) but not at T2 (7(33%)) due to predominantly ECMO decannulation, extubation or death. EE was 1454[1213-1860] at T1 and 1657[1570-2074] kcal/d at T2 (P = 0.043). In patients receiving VA ECMO versus controls, EE was 1577[1434-1801] versus 2092[1609-2272] kcal/d, respectively (P = 0.056).

CONCLUSION

Modified indirect calorimetry is feasible early in admission to ICU but is not possible in all patients receiving VA ECMO, especially later in admission. EE increases during the first week of ICU admission but may be lower than EE in control critically ill patients.

Daily Nutritional Intake of Pediatric Patients (N = 64) on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation from 2018 to 2022: A Single-Center Report

Nutrition in pediatric populations who require life-saving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) remains a debate. We sought to identify if nutritional needs were met in a patient cohort. A retrospective chart review of patients (N = 64) requiring ECMO at Helen DeVos Children's Hospital between 2018 and 2022 was evaluated for demographics, daily nutritional data, laboratory values, ECMO complications, and outcome data, with primary outcome measures of percent protein and percent caloric intake. Secondary outcome measures included the intensive care unit length of stay, time on ECMO, mortality, and day 1 severity of illness scores (Pediatric Logistic Organ Dysfunction). The timeline partially overlapped with the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected for 467 ECMO days with a median age of 2.6 months; 57.8% of patients were male and 65.6% were with one pre-existing comorbidity. Venoarterial (VA) ECMO was utilized in 84.4% of patients; the ECMO indication was cardiac in 53.1% of patients. The 28-day mortality was 43.8%. The proportion of days in which the caloric goal was met was 0%; the proportion of days in which protein goals were met was 33.3%. Non-cardiac ECMO patients had a greater number of days where caloric goals were met (p-value = 0.04). Mortality at 28 days was not statistically significant (p-value = 0.28) for calories or protein administered. The patient cohort struggled to meet calorie and protein goals while on ECMO.

Inadequate Energy Delivery Is Frequent among COVID-19 Patients Requiring ECMO Support and Associated with Increased ICU Mortality

BACKGROUND

Patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support are at high risk for malnutrition. There are currently no general nutrition guidelines for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients during ECMO therapy.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of COVID-19 patients requiring venovenous ECMO support at a large tertiary hospital center. Nutrition goals were calculated using 25 kcal/kg body weight (BW)/day. Associations between nutrition support and outcome were evaluated using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

Overall, 102 patients accounted for a total of 2344 nutrition support days during ECMO therapy. On 40.6% of these days, nutrition goals were met. Undernutrition was found in 40.8%. Mean daily calorie delivery was 73.7% of calculated requirements, mean daily protein delivery was 0.7 g/kg BW/d. Mean energy intake of ≥70% of calculated targets was associated with significantly lower ICU mortality independently of age, disease severity at ECMO start and body mass index (adjusted hazard ratio: 0.372, p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with a mean energy delivery of ≥70% of calculated targets during ECMO therapy had a better ICU survival compared to patients with unmet energy goals. These results indicate that adequate nutritional support needs to be a major priority in the treatment of COVID-19 patients requiring ECMO support.

Medical nutrition therapy in patients receiving ECMO: Evidence-based guidance for clinical practice

Patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) inherit substantial disease-associated metabolic, endocrinologic, and immunologic modifications. Along with the technical components of ECMO, the aforementioned alterations may affect patients' needs and feasibility of adequate macronutrient and micronutrient supply and intake. Thus, patients receiving ECMO are at increased risk for iatrogenic malnutrition and require targeted individual medical nutrition therapy (MNT). However, specific recommendations for MNT in patients receiving ECMO are limited and, with some exceptions, based on an evidence base encompassing general patients who are critically ill. Consequently, clinician decision-making for MNT in patients receiving ECMO is unguided, which may further increase nutrition risk, culminating in iatrogenic malnutrition and ultimately affecting patient outcomes. The purpose of this article is to provide educational background and highlight specific points for MNT in adult patients receiving ECMO, which might serve as evidence-based guidance to develop institutional standard operating procedures and nutrition protocols for daily clinical practice.

Complications Associated With Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation-What Can Go Wrong?

OBJECTIVES

Despite increasing use and promising outcomes, venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO) introduces the risk of a number of complications across the spectrum of ECMO care. This narrative review describes the variety of short- and long-term complications that can occur during treatment with ECMO and how patient selection and management decisions may influence the risk of these complications.

DATA SOURCES

English language articles were identified in PubMed using phrases related to V-V ECMO, acute respiratory distress syndrome, severe respiratory failure, and complications.

STUDY SELECTION

Original research, review articles, commentaries, and published guidelines from the Extracorporeal Life support Organization were considered.

DATA EXTRACTION

Data from relevant literature were identified, reviewed, and integrated into a concise narrative review.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Selecting patients for V-V ECMO exposes the patient to a number of complications. Adequate knowledge of these risks is needed to weigh them against the anticipated benefit of treatment. Timing of ECMO initiation and transfer to centers capable of providing ECMO affect patient outcomes. Choosing a configuration that insufficiently addresses the patient's physiologic deficit leads to consequences of inadequate physiologic support. Suboptimal mechanical ventilator management during ECMO may lead to worsening lung injury, delayed lung recovery, or ventilator-associated pneumonia. Premature decannulation from ECMO as lungs recover can lead to clinical worsening, and delayed decannulation can prolong exposure to complications unnecessarily. Short-term complications include bleeding, thrombosis, and hemolysis, renal and neurologic injury, concomitant infections, and technical and mechanical problems. Long-term complications reflect the physical, functional, and neurologic sequelae of critical illness. ECMO can introduce ethical and emotional challenges, particularly when bridging strategies fail.

CONCLUSIONS

V-V ECMO is associated with a number of complications. ECMO selection, timing of initiation, and management decisions impact the presence and severity of these potential harms.

Nutrition support practices across the care continuum in a single centre critical care unit during the first surge of the COVID-19 pandemic - A comparison of VV-ECMO and non-ECMO patients

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Critically ill patients with COVID-19 are at high nutrition risk. This study aimed to describe the nutrition support practices in a single centre critical care unit during the initial surge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Practices were explored from ICU admission to post-ICU follow-up clinic and patients who received veno-venous extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) were compared to those who did not.

METHODS

This retrospective observational study included COVID-19 positive, adult ICU patients who were mechanically ventilated for ≥72 h. Data were collected from ICU admission until the time of post-ICU clinic. For in-ICU data, results are compared between patients who did and did not receive VV-ECMO.

RESULTS

252 patients were included (VV-ECMO n = 58). Adequate energy and protein was delivered in 193 (76.6%) patients during their ICU admission with no differences between those who did and did not receive VV-ECMO (44 (75.9%) vs. 149 (76.8%)). Parenteral nutrition only being required in 12 (4.8%) patients. Following stepdown to the ward 77 (70%) patients required ongoing enteral nutrition support, and 74 (66.7%) required a texture modified diet or were NBM. Following hospital discharge, nearly a third of ICU survivors (28.4%) were referred for dietetic input. The most common referral reason was loss of weight. Breathlessness and fatigue were the most commonly reported nutrition impact symptoms experienced following hospital discharge.

CONCLUSION

Results show it is possible to reach nutritional adequacy for most patients and that neither VV-ECMO nor proning were barriers to nutritional adequacy. Nutritional issues for patients who were critically ill with COVID-19 persist following stepdown to ward level and into the community and strategies to manage this require further investigation.

When is enteral nutrition indicated?

Enteral nutrition (EN) is a vital component of nutrition around the world. EN allows for delivery of nutrients to those who cannot maintain adequate nutrition by oral intake alone. Common questions regarding EN are when to initiate and in what scenarios it is safe. The answers to these questions are often complex and require an evidence-based approach. The Board of Directors of the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition (ASPEN) established an Enteral Nutrition Committtee to address the important questions surrounding the indications for EN. Consensus recommendations were established based on eight extremely clinically relevant questions regarding EN indications as deemed by the Enteral Nutrition Committee. These consensus recommendations may act as a guide for clinicians and stakeholders on difficult questions pertaining to indications for EN. This paper was approved by the ASPEN Board of Directors.

Extracorporeal Life Support Organization Guidelines for the Provision and Assessment of Nutritional Support in the Neonatal and Pediatric ECMO Patient

DISCLAIMER

This guideline is intended for educational use to build the knowledge of physicians and other health professionals in assessing the conditions and managing the treatment of patients undergoing extracorporeal life support (ECLS)/extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and describe what are believed to be useful and safe practice for extracorporeal life support (ECLS, ECMO) but these are not necessarily consensus recommendations. The aim of clinical guidelines are to help clinicians to make informed decisions about their patients. However, adherence to a guideline does not guarantee a successful outcome. Ultimately, healthcare professionals must make their own treatment decisions about care on a case-by-case basis, after consultation with their patients, using their clinical judgment, knowledge, and expertise. These guidelines do not take the place of physicians' and other health professionals' judgment in diagnosing and treatment of particular patients. These guidelines are not intended to and should not be interpreted as setting a standard of care or be deemed inclusive of all proper methods of care nor exclusive of other methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results. The ultimate judgment must be made by the physician and other health professionals and the patient in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient, and the known variability and biologic behavior of the clinical condition. These guidelines reflect the data at the time the guidelines were prepared; the results of subsequent studies or other information may cause revisions to the recommendations in these guidelines to be prudent to reflect new data, but Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO) is under no obligation to provide updates. In no event will ELSO be liable for any decision made or action taken in reliance upon the information provided through these guidelines.

A Narrative Review of Nutrition Therapy in Patients Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

The use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in patients with severe cardiorespiratory failure has seen significant growth in the last decade. Despite this, there is paucity of data surrounding the optimum nutritional management for ECMO patients. This review aimed to describe current nutrition practices in patients receiving ECMO, critically appraise available studies and identify areas for future research. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, MEDLINE, and CINAHL Plus to identify all randomized trials and observational studies published between July 2000 and July 2020 investigating nutrition practices in critically ill adults receiving ECMO. The primary outcomes were nutritional adequacy, gastrointestinal complications, and physical function. Secondary outcomes included mortality, length of stay, and duration on ECMO support. From a total of 31 studies identified, 12 met the inclusion criteria. Nine observational studies were reviewed following eligibility assessment. Early enteral nutrition was deemed safe and feasible for ECMO patients; however, meeting nutritional targets was challenging. Utilizing alternative nutrition routes is an option, although risks and benefits should be taken into consideration. Data on gastrointestinal complications and other clinical outcomes were inconsistent, and no data were identified investigating the effects of nutrition on the physical and functional recovery of ECMO patients. Nutrition therapy in ECMO patients should be provided in line with current guidelines for nutrition in critical illness until further data are available. Further prospective, randomized studies investigating optimum nutrition practices and effects on clinical and functional outcomes are urgently required.

Enteral Nutrition in Critically Ill Patients Under Vasoactive Drug Therapy. The NUTRIVAD Study

BACKGROUND

Enteral nutrition (EN) in critically ill patients requiring vasoactive drug (VAD) support is controversial. This study assesses the tolerability and safety of EN in such patients.

METHODS

This prospective observational study was conducted in 23 ICUs over 30 months. Inclusion criteria were a need for VAD and/or mechanic circulatory support (MCS) over a minimum of 48 h, a need for at least 48 h of mechanical ventilation, an estimated life expectancy longer than 72 h, and at least 72 h of ICU stay. Patients with refractory shock were excluded. EN was performed according to established protocols during which descriptive, daily hemodynamic and efficacy and safety data were collected. An independent research group conducted the statistical analysis.

RESULTS

Of 200 patients included, 30 (15%) required MCS and 145 (73%) met early multiorgan dysfunction criteria. Mortality was 24%. Patients needed a mean dose of norepinephrine in the first 48 h of 0.71 μg/kg/min (95%CI: 0.63-0.8) targeting a mean arterial pressure of 68 mmHg (95%CI: 67-70) during the first 48 h. EN was started 34 h (95%CI: 31-37) after ICU admission. Mean energy and protein delivered by EN/patient/day were 1159 Kcal (95%CI: 1098-1220) and 55.6 g (52.4-58.7) respectively. Daily energy balance during EN/patient/day was -432 (95%CI: -496 to -368). 154 (77%) patients experienced EN-related complications. However, severe complications such as mesenteric ischemia were recorded in only 1 patient (0.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

EN in these patients seems feasible, safe and unrelated to serious complications. Reaching the energy target only through EN is difficult.

CLINICAL RELEVANCY STATEMENT

Enteral nutrition (EN) in critically ill patients requiring vasoactive drugs (VAD) is currently a subject of controversy. Factors such as when to start EN, dosing, monitoring, or whether to avoid EN altogether are a real challenge because of its link to a risk of bowel ischemia. We describe our experience with EN in 200 critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation and requiring VAD. Under adequate supervision, EN proved feasible and safe. Our findings require confirmation in clinical intervention trials. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Nutrition during extracorporeal life support: A review of pathophysiological bases and application of guidelines

BACKGROUND

Patients on extracorporeal life support (ECLS), either for respiratory or cardiac support, are at high risk of malnutrition; guidelines on nutrition in critical care have not incorporated solid evidence regarding these settings. The aim of this narrative review is to gather the available evidence in the existing literature and transpose general principles to the ECLS population.

METHODS

A literature review of observational and interventional studies on nutrition during ECLS, and evaluation of nutrition guidelines in this perspective.

RESULTS

Nutrition is paramount for improving outcomes in ECLS, as well as in critically ill patients. The caloric needs during ECLS can vary according to the severity of the clinical state, sedation, paralysis, and temperature stability. Precise evaluation of energy expenditure by indirect calorimetry is difficult because ECLS is a system dedicated to removing carbon dioxide; however, modified equations composed of carbon dioxide values taken from the membrane lung are available. Guidelines suggest starting early enteral nutrition (EN) with a hypocaloric (70%-80% of the needs) strategy, also in acute states such as septic or cardiogenic shock. Moreover, EN, despite previous concerns, is feasible in prone position, an increasingly adopted strategy during mechanical ventilation. The catabolic state is maximal in these patients, causing a protein and muscular reduction. Therefore, adequate protein delivery should be guaranteed by administering a high protein intake of up to 2 g/kg/day.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies on nutrition tailored to ECLS patients are warranted. Early hypocaloric EN with high protein intake, tailored on indirect calorimetry, may be the most appropriate option.

Awakening in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as a bridge to lung transplantation

Although the rate of lung transplantation (LTx), the last treatment option for end-stage lung disease, is increasing, some patients waiting for LTx need a bridging strategy for LTx due to the limited number of available donor lungs. For a long time, mechanical ventilation has been employed as a bridge to LTx because the outcome of using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) as a bridging strategy has been poor. However, the outcome after mechanical ventilation as a bridge to LTx was poor compared with that in patients without bridges. With advances in technology and the accumulation of experience, the outcome of ECMO as a bridge to LTx has improved, and the rate of ECMO use as a bridging strategy has increased over time. However, whether the use of ECMO as a bridge to LTx can achieve survival rates similar to those of non-bridged LTx patients remains controversial. In 2010, one center introduced awake ECMO strategy for LTx bridging, and its use as a bridge to LTx has been showing favorable outcomes to date. Awake ECMO has several advantages, such as maintenance of physical activity, spontaneous breathing, avoidance of endotracheal intubation, and reduced use of sedatives and analgesics, but it may cause serious problems. Nonetheless, several studies have shown that awake ECMO performed by a multidisciplinary team is safe. In cases where ECMO or mechanical ventilation is required due to unavoidable exacerbation in patients awaiting LTx, the application of awake ECMO performed by an appropriately trained ECMO multi-disciplinary team can be useful.

Early Enteral Nutrition and Gastrointestinal Complications in Pediatric Patients on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

OBJECTIVES

To assess the safety of enteral nutrition (EN) in children on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). To describe nutritional status and the characteristics of the nutritional support in this population.

METHODS

A retrospective single-center analysis (2006-2016) including children <18 years on ECMO. Demographic data, nutritional status, characteristics of nutritional support, and development of gastrointestinal (GI) complications were recorded.

RESULTS

One hundred children, with a median age of 9.7 months (interquartile range [IQR] 3.9-63.1) were enrolled. Undernutrition was prevalent among children on ECMO (33.3%) mainly in patients <2 years (P = 0.042). Most patients (64%) received EN at some point during ECMO therapy. EN was administered in the first 48 hours after ECMO initiation (48HEN) to 60.3% of the children.Mortality rate in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit was lower in patients who received EN as the initial artificial nutrition support (ANS) (37.7 vs 51%, P = 0.005) and in children on 48HEN (34% vs 50%, P = 0.04). In the logistic regression analysis, duration of ECMO support and low cardiac output indication were the only factors associated with mortality.Although most patients on ECMO (45%) developed digestive complications, they were mostly mild, being constipation the most prevalent. In the logistic regression analysis, EN was not associated with an increase in GI complications (P = 0.09). Only three patients developed intestinal ischemia (one without EN and two on EN).

CONCLUSIONS

Undernutrition is prevalent among children on ECMO, mainly in infants <2 years. EN is not associated with severe gastrointestinal complications or higher mortality in these children.

Relationship Between Skeletal Muscle Area and Density and Clinical Outcome in Adults Receiving Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the prevalence of low skeletal muscle index (area normalized for height) and density, their trajectory of change, and to determine associations with clinical outcome in adults with severe respiratory failure requiring venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

PATIENTS

Adults receiving venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for a minimum of 72 hours and a maximum of 6 months between September 2010 and June 2017, who had a CT scan which included the third lumbar vertebra.

INTERVENTION

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Skeletal muscle index and density was determined using Slice-O-Matic V5.0 (TomoVision, Montreal, QC, Canada). Low skeletal muscle index and density were defined using published criteria. Regression models were used to assess for associations between muscle index and density and clinical outcome. Two-hundred fifteen patients, median (interquartile range) age 46 years (35.0-57.0 yr) were included. Forty-five patients (21.1%) had low skeletal muscle index, and 48 (22.3%) had low skeletal muscle density on commencement of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Low skeletal muscle index was more prevalent in males (28.8% vs 11.6%; χ2 = 9.4; p = 0.002) and was associated with a longer duration of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (B = 5.0; 95% CI, 0.2-9.9; p = 0.042). Higher skeletal muscle density was independently associated with ICU survival (odds ratio 1.6 per 10 Hounsfield units; 95% CI, 1.1-2.5; p = 0.025). No relationship was observed between skeletal muscle index nor density and physical function. Adequacy of energy and protein did not influence change in skeletal muscle index or density.

CONCLUSIONS

Low skeletal muscle index at the commencement of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was associated with a longer duration of venovenous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, whereas preserved skeletal muscle density was associated with improved survival.

Nutrition in Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: A Narrative Review

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support is increasingly utilized in quaternary pediatric intensive care units. Metabolic derangements and altered nutritional requirements are common in critically ill children supported on ECMO. However, there remains no consensus on the optimal approach to the prescription of nutrition in these patients. This narrative review aims to summarize the current medical literature on various aspects of nutrition support in pediatric patients on ECMO. These include: (1) nutritional adequacy, (2) pros and cons of feeding on ECMO, (3) enteral vs. parenteral nutrition, and (4) proposed recommendations and future directions for research in this area.

Early enteral nutrition and factors related to in-hospital mortality in people on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

OBJECTIVES

There are concerns about adverse events related to early enteral nutrition (EN) in people receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This was a retrospective study evaluating. This nutritional support of people receiving ECMO, factors that may confer benefits in outcomes.

METHODS

60 adults on ECMO who survived for more than 48 h were enrolled in the study. We evaluated energy and protein intake and the associations of the timing, adequacy, and route of nutrition with in-hospital mortality.

RESULTS

Thirty-three participants (55%) were successfully weaned off ECMO, and 30 (50%) survived. EN was initiated on day 2 of ECMO (interquartile range, 1-3), and the mean energy intake on day 7 of ECMO was 94.1% ± 41.8% of the energy requirement. Although early EN significantly decreased in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio, 0.413; 95% confidence interval, 0.174-0.984; P = 0.046), neither adequate energy intake (hazard ratio, 0.982; 95% confidence interval, 0.292-3.301; P = 0.977) nor EN-dominant nutritional support (hazard ratio, 0.394; 95% confidence interval, 0.138-1.128; P = 0.083) in the first week influenced survival.

CONCLUSIONS

Although adequate nutritional support and EN-dominant nutritional support were not associated with changes in outcome, early EN was associated with reduced in-hospital mortality. Therefore, even when EN is not the dominant route of nutritional support, early EN may be recommended for better outcomes in people on ECMO.

Energy expenditure and indirect calorimetry in critical illness and convalescence: current evidence and practical considerations

The use of indirect calorimetry is strongly recommended to guide nutrition therapy in critically ill patients, preventing the detrimental effects of under- and overfeeding. However, the course of energy expenditure is complex, and clinical studies on indirect calorimetry during critical illness and convalescence are scarce. Energy expenditure is influenced by many individual and iatrogenic factors and different metabolic phases of critical illness and convalescence. In the first days, energy production from endogenous sources appears to be increased due to a catabolic state and is likely near-sufficient to meet energy requirements. Full nutrition support in this phase may lead to overfeeding as exogenous nutrition cannot abolish this endogenous energy production, and mitochondria are unable to process the excess substrate. However, energy expenditure is reported to increase hereafter and is still shown to be elevated 3 weeks after ICU admission, when endogenous energy production is reduced, and exogenous nutrition support is indispensable. Indirect calorimetry is the gold standard for bedside calculation of energy expenditure. However, the superiority of IC-guided nutritional therapy has not yet been unequivocally proven in clinical trials and many practical aspects and pitfalls should be taken into account when measuring energy expenditure in critically ill patients. Furthermore, the contribution of endogenously produced energy cannot be measured. Nevertheless, routine use of indirect calorimetry to aid personalized nutrition has strong potential to improve nutritional status and consequently, the long-term outcome of critically ill patients.

Enteral Nutrition Safety With Advanced Treatments: Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation, Prone Positioning, and Infusion of Neuromuscular Blockers

This review aims at assessing the safety and efficacy of enteral nutrition in critically ill patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, prone positioning, and infusion of neuromuscular blockers. Existing data from randomized controlled trials demonstrate the survival benefit of early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients. Observational data have demonstrated that enteral nutrition in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, prone positioning, and infusion of neuromuscular blockers is generally safe. However, these patients are at increased risk for gastrointestinal complications from enteral nutrition because of critical illness-induced gastrointestinal dysfunction; associated shock; the concomitant use of vasopressor agents, sedatives, and narcotics; possibly mesenteric circulatory compromise; and regurgitation associated with prone positioning. Therefore, early enteral nutrition is generally recommended in these patients in the absence of severe gastrointestinal dysfunction or shock. To reduce the complications, early nutrition should be advanced gradually (trophic feeding or permissive underfeeding), the bed should be tilted to a maximum of 30°, and concentrated nutritional formulae and the use of prokinetics may be considered to treat enteral feeding intolerance. Physicians should be vigilant about monitoring for early signs of acute mesenteric ischemia, which should lead to holding enteral feeding. Parenteral nutrition may be utilized in patients who cannot receive enteral nutrition or are unable to reach their nutrition goals by the end of the first week.

Safety, Tolerability, and Outcomes of Enteral Nutrition in Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a supportive care system for patients with respiratory or cardiac failure. Patients requiring ECMO are at risk for significant inflammation, prolonged hospitalization, and acquired malnutrition and sarcopenia. Societal guidelines recommend early enteral nutrition in critically ill patients; however, in this population, optimal timing and dose of nutrition remains unknown and fear of reduced splanchnic perfusion, delayed gastric emptying, and bowel ischemia poses a barrier to appropriate energy and protein intake. This narrative review intends to provide an overview of ECMO, highlight the rationale for nutrition support in this population, and review the safety, tolerability, and outcomes associated with enteral nutrition during ECMO.

Multidisciplinary team approach in acute myocardial infarction patients undergoing veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Background

Limited data are available on the impact of a specialized extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) team on clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock (CS). This study evaluated whether specialized ECMO team is associated with improved in-hospital mortality in AMI patients undergoing veno-arterial (VA) ECMO.

Methods

A total of 255 AMI patients who underwent VA-ECMO were included. In January 2014, a multidisciplinary ECMO team was founded at our institution. Eligible patients were classified into a pre-ECMO team group (n = 131) and a post-ECMO team group (n = 124). The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality.

Results

In-hospital mortality (pre-ECMO team vs. post-ECMO team, 54.2% vs. 33.9%; p = 0.002) and cardiac intensive care unit mortality (pre-ECMO team vs. post-ECMO team, 51.9% vs. 30.6%; p = 0.001) were significantly lower after the implementation of a multidisciplinary ECMO team. On multivariable logistic regression model, implementation of the multidisciplinary ECMO team was associated with reduction of in-hospital mortality [odds ratio: 0.37, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20–0.67; p = 0.001]. Incidence of all-cause mortality [58.3% vs. 35.2%; hazard ratio (HR): 0.49, 95% CI 0.34–0.72; p < 0.001) and readmission due to heart failure (28.2% vs. 6.4%; HR: 0.21, 95% CI 0.08–0.58; p = 0.003) at 6 months of follow-up were also significantly lower in the post-ECMO team group than in the pre-ECMO team group.

Conclusions

Implementation of a multidisciplinary ECMO team was associated with improved clinical outcomes in AMI patients complicated by CS. Our data support that a specialized ECMO team is indispensable for improving outcomes in patients with AMI complicated by CS.

Nutritional Support in Postcardiotomy Shock Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Patients: A Prospective, Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Despite the 6000 patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) annually, there is a paucity of data regarding the nutritional management of these patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a prospective, observational study of nutrition in postcardiotomy shock patients at our institution. Over a 3.5-year study period, we identified 50 ECMO patients and 225 non-ECMO patients. We identified type, amount, duration, and disruption of nutritional delivery by cohort. The primary outcome was percent of caloric goal met, and secondary outcome was gastrointestinal complications.

RESULTS

ECMO patients met less of their caloric (29% versus 40%, P = 0.017) and protein goals (34% versus 55%, P < 0.001) compared with non-ECMO patients. Tube feeds were administered more slowly (26 versus 37 mL/h, P < 0.001) and held for longer (8.3 versus 4.5 h/d, P < 0.001) in ECMO patients because of procedures (60%) and high-dose pressors (20% versus 7%, P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that ECMO decreased caloric intake by 14%, with no detected increased risk of gastrointestinal complications.

CONCLUSIONS

-ECMO patients received significantly less nutrition support compared with a non-ECMO population. Tube feed hold deficits could potentially be avoided by utilizing postpyloric tubes to feed through procedures, by eliminating holds for vasopressors/inotropes in hemodynamically stable patients, or by establishing volume-based feeding protocols. Further clinical studies are needed to establish efficacy of these interventions and to understand the impact of nutrition on outcomes in ECMO patients.

Are Current Protein Recommendations for the Critically Ill Adequate for Patients on VV ECMO: Experience From a High-Volume Center

BACKGROUND

The nutrition needs of patients requiring extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) have not been established in the literature. The purpose of this study is to investigate if current protein recommendations are adequate to achieve nitrogen equilibrium in patients on venovenous ECMO (VV ECMO).

METHODS

Patients aged ≥18 years on VV ECMO admitted November 2016 through January 2018 with a documented nitrogen balance (NB) study were included. Patients were stratified by body mass index (BMI) into obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m² ) and nonobese (BMI < 30 kg/m² ) categories for analysis.

RESULTS

After exclusions, 55 NB studies in 29 patients were analyzed. Twelve nonobese patients received a median of 2.1 g protein/kg actual body weight (ABW) (interquartile range [IQR]: 1.7-2.5), and median NB was -2.2 g/d (IQR: -7.4 to 2.8). In 17 obese patients, median protein delivery of 2 g protein/kg ideal body weight (IBW) (IQR: 1.7-2.5) achieved a median NB of -7.3 g/d (IQR: -12.6 to -2.8). Obese patients exhibited greater urinary urea nitrogen excretion than nonobese patients did (24.6 vs 17.6 g/d, P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Obese and nonobese patients undergoing VV ECMO may require more protein than is currently recommended for critical illness. Monitoring nutrition delivery and serial NB to assess prescription adequacy should be incorporated into routine patient care. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and create specific guidelines for patients on VV ECMO.