Extract

Background and study aims Current research does not provide clear guidance as to whether intravenous nutritional support (where nutrients are infused into the blood stream) is better than gastric tube feeding (where nutrients are infused into the stomach) for critically ill patients. Previous research studies indicate that intravenous nutritional support has the advantage of being more likely to deliver the intended nutrition, but may be more dangerous. The danger, or complications, can result from problems with the devices used to access the vein (e.g. lung puncture and infection from the tube, or cannula, used), and from metabolic effects due to the fact that the nutrients bypass the normal route of absorption. The aim of this study is to compare intravenous nutritional support with gastric tube feeding in adult critically ill patients. Who can participate? Critically ill patients aged 18 or over in critical care units What does the study involve? Patients are randomly allocated to intravenous nutritional support or gastric tube feeding, thus allowing us to compare their outcomes in terms of survival and also quality of survival. For those receiving intravenous nutritional support, after 5 days they are weaned onto gastric tube feeding. Those receiving gastric tube feeding but who are not achieving adequate nutrition by day 5 are provided with intravenous nutritional support for as long as is necessary. What are the possible benefits and risks of participating? Not provided at time of registration Where is the study run from? Intensive Care National Audit & Research Centre (UK) When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for? June 2011 to December 2013 Who is funding the study? NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme - HTA (UK) Who is the main contact? Prof Kathy Rowan

Inclusion criteria

• Enteral/parenteral feeding

Links

• isrctn
• ictrp