Safety and Outcomes of Early Enteral Nutrition in Circulatory Shock

Abstract

Circulatory shock is one of the most common reasons for an intensive care unit admission, has been shown to impair gut barrier and immune functions, and promotes dysbiosis. The exact timing and dose of enteral nutrition (EN) in circulatory shock remains unclear. In fact, because of fear of complications such as nonocclusive mesenteric ischemia and bowel necrosis and splanchnic steal phenomenon, clinicians may hesitate to start EN in critically ill patients with circulatory shock. In this narrative review, we identify and appraise contemporary evidence evaluating the safety and outcomes of EN in circulatory shock.

Keywords: circulatory shock; enteral nutrition; extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; sepsis; septic shock; vasopressor.