Clinical Research
Copyright ©2006 Baishideng Publishing Group Co., Limited. All rights reserved.
World J Gastroenterol. Jul 21, 2006; 12(27): 4383-4388
Published online Jul 21, 2006. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v12.i27.4383
Proximal gastric response to small intestinal nutrients is abnormal in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients
Nam Q Nguyen, Robert J Fraser, Marianne Chapman, Laura K Bryant, Richard H Holloway, Rosalie Vozzo, Christine Feinle-Bisset
Nam Q Nguyen, Richard H Holloway, Laura K Bryant, Rosalie Vozzo, Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and General Medicine, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia
Marianne Chapman, Department of Intensive Care, Royal Adelaide Hospital, South Australia
Robert J Fraser, Christine Feinle-Bisset, University Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, South Australia
Laura K Bryant, Rosalie Vozzo, Department of Gastroenterology, University of Adelaide, South Australia
Correspondence to: Robert J Fraser, Associate Professor, University Department of Medicine, University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000, Australia. robert.fraser@adelaide.edu.au
Telephone: +61-8-82225502 Fax: +61-8-82233870
Received: November 28, 2005
Revised: February 28, 2006
Accepted: February 28, 2006
Published online: July 21, 2006
Abstract

AIM: To determine the response of the proximal stomach to small intestinal nutrients in critically ill patients.

METHODS: Proximal gastric motility was measured in 13 critically ill patients (49.3 ± 4.7 years) and 12 healthy volunteers (27.7 ± 2.9 years) using a barostat technique. Recordings were performed at baseline, during a 60-min intra-duodenal infusion of Ensure® (2 kcal/min), and for 2 h following the infusion. Minimum distending pressure (MDP), intra-bag volume and fundic wave activity were determined.

RESULTS: The MDP was higher in patients (11.7 ± 1.1 vs 7.8 ± 0.7 mmHg; P < 0.01). Baseline intra-bag volumes were similar in the 2 groups. In healthy subjects, a ‘bimodal’ proximal gastric volume response was observed. In patients, the initial increase in proximal gastric volume was small and delayed, but eventually reached a maximal volume similar to that of healthy subjects. In healthy subjects, the proximal gastric volume rapidly returned to baseline level after nutrient infusion (median 18 min). In contrast, the recovery of volume to baseline was delayed in critically ill patients (median 106 min). In 6 patients, the volume had not returned to baseline level 2 hours after nutrient infusion. In patients, fundic volume waves were less frequent (P < 0.05) and had lower amplitude (P < 0.001), compared to healthy subjects.

CONCLUSION: In critical illness, proximal gastric motor responses to small intestinal nutrient stimulation are abnormal.

Keywords: Proximal gastric response; Small intestinal nutrient; Critical illness