II. Risk Factors: Post-ICU Malnutrition
- Prolonged ICU admission
- Intubation or Tracheostomy (may interfere with swallowing)
- Prolonged period of poor oral intake (bowel mucosa atrophy)
- Sepsis
III. Management
- Nutrition Consultation
IV. Complications
-
Acalculous Cholecystitis
- Poor lipid intake results in bile stasis
- Muscle wasting
- Total body protein loss exceeds 2 pounds for a 3 week ICU admission
- Initial (first 10 days): Skeletal muscle is primary source of lost protein
- Later (after 10 days): Visceral muscle is lost
- Plank (1998) Ann Surg 228(2): 146-58 [PubMed]
