Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of early nutritional support via the parenteral versus the enteral route for critically ill adult patients

Application of a downward tract adherence method in the manual bedside placement of post-pyloric tubes in the intensive care unit

BACKGROUND

At present, there are few studies on the technical requirements of manual bedside placement of post-pyloric tube in Intensive Care Unit patients.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the application value of downward tract adherence method in the manual bedside placement of jejunal tubes.

METHODS

In the downward group, 160 patients underwent manual bedside placement of jejunal tubes by a downward tract adherence method. In the conventional group, 144 patients were treated with conventional gas injection during the placement. The success rate, average time, and adverse reactions of the placement in the two groups were investigated and compared.

RESULTS

The success rate of the placement in the downward group was significantly higher (95% vs. 75%, P< 0.001) and the average time for the successful placement was shortened (23 ± 5.91 min vs. 26 ± 5.49 min, P= 0.025) than that in the conventional group. No treatment-related adverse reactions occurred in either group, and there were also no significant differences in vital sign changes.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of the downward tract adherence method in the manual bedside placement of postpyloric tubes for the intensive care patients at the bedside has a higher success rate, effectivity and safety.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of nasojejunal tube feeding for the prevention of pneumonia in critically ill adults

BACKGROUND

Nasojejunal tube (NJT) feeding has demonstrated value in reducing pneumonia in critically ill adults who require enteral nutritional (EN) support. This study discusses whether EN support via nasojejunal tube (NJT) feeding is more cost-effective than nasogastric tube (NGT) feeding in reducing pneumonia.

METHODS

A decision tree model was created. The analysis was based on data from a health care provider in China. Model inputs were derived from published data. The endpoints included incremental cost per pneumonia infection avoided, incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER), net monetary benefit (NMB) and incremental net monetary benefit (INMB) associated with prevention of pneumonia. The uncertainty was assessed through one-way and probabilistic sensitivity analysis.

RESULTS

The base case analysis showed that EN support via NJT feeding resulted in 0.7453 quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) at a cost of $3018.83 compared to NGT feeding, which resulted in 0.7354 QALYs at a cost of $4788.76. NJT feeding was better than NGT feeding, providing an INMB of $2,075.09 and an ICER of $-178,813.96 per QALY gained, and the cost per pneumonia infection prevented was $16,808.51. The probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that NJT feeding was more cost-effective in 83.4% of the cases, with a cost below the WTP threshold. The NMB and INMB estimation for different WTP thresholds also indicated that NJT feeding is the optimal strategy.

CONCLUSIONS

EN support via NJT feeding was a more cost-effective strategy than NGT feeding in preventing pneumonia in critically ill adults. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Multivariate analysis of factors associated with first-pass success in blind placement of a post-pyloric feeding tube: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND

Trans-jejunal nutrition via a post-pyloric enteral feeding tube has a low risk of aspiration or reflux; however, placement of the tube using the blind method can be difficult. Assistive devices, such as fluoroscopy or endoscopy, are useful but may not be suitable for patients with hemodynamic instability or severe respiratory failure. The aim of this study was to explore factors associated with first-pass success in the blind placement of post-pyloric enteral feeding tubes in critically ill patients.

METHODS

Data were obtained retrospectively from the medical records of adult patients who had a post-pyloric enteral feeding tube placed in the intensive care unit between January 1, 2012, and December 31, 2018. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association between first-pass success and the independent variables. For logistic regression analysis, the following 13 variables were defined as independent variables: age, sex, height, fluid balance from baseline, use of sedatives, body position during the procedure, use of cardiac assist devices, use of prokinetic agents, presence or absence of intestinal peristalsis, postoperative cardiovascular surgery, use of renal replacement therapy, serum albumin levels, and position of the greater curvature of the stomach in relation to spinal levels L1 - L2.

RESULTS

Data obtained from 442 patients were analyzed. The first-pass success rate was 42.8% (n = 189). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the position of the greater curvature of the stomach cephalad to L1 - L2 was only associated with successful placement (odds ratio for first-pass success, 0.62; 95% confidence interval: 0.40 - 0.95).

CONCLUSIONS

In critically ill patients, the position of the greater curvature of the stomach caudal to L1 - L2 may be associated with a lower first-pass success rate of the blind method for post-pyloric enteral feeding tube placement. Further studies are needed to verify our results because the position of the stomach was estimated by radiographs after enteral feeding tube placement.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000036549; April 20, 2019).

Nutrition in the critically ill surgical patient

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to discuss recent findings related to providing adequate and well tolerated nutrition to the critically ill surgical patient.

RECENT FINDINGS

The majority of nutritional studies in the critically ill have been performed on well nourished patients, but validated scoring systems can now identify high nutrition risk patients. Although it remains well accepted that early enteral nutrition with protein supplementation is key, mechanistic data suggest that hypocaloric feeding in septic patients may be beneficial. For critically ill patients unable to tolerate enteral nutrition, randomized pilot data demonstrate improved functional outcomes with early supplemental parenteral nutrition. Current guidelines also recommend early total parenteral nutrition in high nutrition risk patients with contraindications to enteral nutrition. When critically ill patients require low or moderate-dose vasopressors, enteral feeding appears well tolerated based on a large database study, while randomized prospective data showed worse outcomes in patients receiving high-dose vasopressors.

SUMMARY

Current evidence suggests early enteral nutrition with protein supplementation in critically ill surgical patients with consideration of early parenteral nutrition in high nutrition risk patients unable to achieve nutrition goals enterally. Despite established guidelines for nutritional therapy, the paucity of data to support these recommendations illustrates the critical need for additional studies.