A new randomized controlled trial on providing protein to critically ill patients with a new very high intact-protein formula
Principle investigator Dr. Arthur van Zanten, intensivist at the Gelderse Vallei hospital (Ede, The Netherlands) will present for the first time data from the clinical trial that investigated the nutritional intake of a very high intact-protein enteral nutrition formula versus a standard high protein formula for critically ill patients. Dr. van Zanten will present these data during the satellite symposium on 21 March at the medical conference ISICEM 2018.
Medical nutrition can play a vital role in improving the nutritional status, recovery and quality of life in critically ill and surgical patients. Multiple studies show medical nutrition improves morbidity, length of hospital stay and mortality – the three key principle outcome parameters when evaluating the benefits of nutritional support.1, 2, 3
Clinical trial
For a long time, nutritional support in critically ill patients mainly focused on providing energy. However, recent data and recommendations show that achieving protein targets is most important.1, 4 In clinical practice, the protein intake achieved is often below the amounts recommended by nutrition guidelines for the ICU. Today, intact-protein formula do not contain sufficient protein to enable adequate protein provision without overfeeding with energy.
The trial investigates whether the protein intake can be improved in critically ill patients with a new, very high protein enteral formula based on intact proteins that is based on the ASPEN (American Society of Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition) and the International Protein Summit guidelines for care.
About ISICEM 2018
This year the International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine (ISICEM) is being held from 20 – 23 March 2018 in Brussels, Belgium. The conference covers the most recent, clinically relevant, developments in research, therapy, and management of the critically ill. Click here for the full program.