[Nutrition and liver failure]

Med Klin Intensivmed Notfmed. 2013 Jun;108(5):391-5. doi: 10.1007/s00063-012-0200-4. Epub 2013 May 18.
[Article in German]

Abstract

In the critically ill liver patient, nutrition support is not very different from that given for other illnesses. In hyperacute liver failure, nutrition support is of less importance than in the other subtypes of acute liver failure that take a more protracted course. Nasoenteral tube feeding using a polymeric standard formula should be the first-line approach, while parenteral nutrition giving glucose, fat, amino acids, vitamins, and trace elements is initiated when enteral nutrition is insufficient or impracticable. In chronic liver disease, notably cirrhosis, there is frequently protein malnutrition indicating a poor prognosis and requiring immediate initiation of nutrition support. Enteral nutrition ensuring an adequate provision of energy and protein should be preferred. Particular care should be taken to avoid refeeding syndrome and to treat vitamin and trace element deficiency.

Publication types

  • English Abstract
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acids / blood
  • Blood Glucose / metabolism
  • Critical Care / methods*
  • Energy Intake / physiology
  • Energy Metabolism / physiology
  • Enteral Nutrition / methods
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / physiopathology
  • Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage / therapy
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / physiopathology
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / therapy
  • Humans
  • Isoleucine / administration & dosage
  • Liver Cirrhosis / physiopathology
  • Liver Cirrhosis / therapy
  • Liver Failure / physiopathology
  • Liver Failure / therapy*
  • Liver Failure, Acute / physiopathology
  • Liver Failure, Acute / therapy
  • Nutritional Requirements / physiology
  • Nutritional Support / methods*
  • Parenteral Nutrition, Total / methods
  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition / physiopathology
  • Protein-Energy Malnutrition / therapy
  • Refeeding Syndrome / physiopathology
  • Refeeding Syndrome / prevention & control

Substances

  • Amino Acids
  • Blood Glucose
  • Isoleucine