Nutrición enteral en pacientes hospitalizados en Unidades de Terapia Intensiva. Revisión narrativa

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Although it is known in the clinical setting that the nutritional status of critically ill patients has a high prognostic impact on their favorable recovery, the optimal feeding strategy is still a controversial issue. Objective: To identify the benefits provided by the use of early enteral nutrition (EN) in critically ill patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) through a narrative review. Methods: narrative review in which recent evidence has been compiled from studies and recommendations of international guidelines that focus on the basic principles of nutrition in the ICU, the studies have been taken from the PubMed and SciELO databases. The topics covered are: characteristics of the critical patient, nutrition in hospitalized patients, methods, classification and benefits of early enteral nutritional support. Results: EN must be adapted to the needs of each patient and its early start is recommended within the first 24 to 48 hours after admission of patients to the ICU, since it is associated with lower mortality, reduced hospital stay and significant reduction of complications due to infection, organ failure, among others. Conclusion: early enteral nutrition is considered the best option to avoid complications in critical patients hospitalized in the ICU, however, the level of evidence remains low.