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Copyright ©The Author(s) 2025.
World J Crit Care Med. Sep 9, 2025; 14(3): 102834
Published online Sep 9, 2025. doi: 10.5492/wjccm.v14.i3.102834
Table 2 Summary of studies on the effects of early enteral nutrition in patients with cardiothoracic disorders including those in the intensive care unit
Ref.
Type of study
Study population
Outcomes
Zheng et al[44], 2025Retrospective cohort study1846 patients with cardiogenic shockEEN was associated with improved survival outcomes and decreased length of hospitalization
Shen et al[45], 2024Retrospective RCT720 patients with 4 days or greater CTICU stayEEN was associated with shorter length of hospital and ICU stay and reduced incidence of respiratory and blood infections
Better glycemic control and reduced insulin needs
No significant difference found in long-term survival
Efremov et al[46], 2017Prospective RCT40 mechanically ventilated, post-cardiac surgery patients who received either standard isocaloric EEN or calorie-dense, protein-rich EENEEN led to reduced requirements for parenteral nutrition
Lu et al[47], 2023Retrospective review65 patients, 42 of which received VV-ECMO and 23 whom received VA-ECMOEEN safe and well-tolerated by patient’s receiving ECMO for more than 24 hours
EEN associated with higher success rates of weaning off ECMO and reduced mortality
Delayed EN group to had significantly higher feeding intolerance as compared with the EEN group