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In Search of the Ideal Promotility Agent: Optimal Use of Currently Available Promotility Agents for Nutrition Therapy of the Critically Ill Patient

  • Nutrition and Obesity (S McClave and J Obert, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Enteral nutrition therapy is essential in the management of critically ill patients. Prokinetic agents have been used successfully to aid in the delivery of nutrition and improve feeding tolerance in patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). The aim of this report is to review the existing promotility agents available for use in the critically ill as well as outline the role of potential investigative drugs in order to provide a guide to the management of this difficult and important clinical dilemma.

Recent Findings

While no single currently available agent currently meets all of the desired goals in the critical care setting, there are an increasing number of available agents from which to choose including motilin receptor agonists, 5HT4 receptor agonists, D2 receptor antagonists, and Mu opioid receptor antagonists.

Summary

We recommend a multifaceted approach to optimizing enteral nutrition in the critical care setting which should include the early, prophylactic use of promotility agents and should focus on the management of reversible causes of impaired gastrointestinal motility.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Blvd, L461, Portland, OR, 97239, USA

    Sarah J. Diamond

  2. Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA

    Endashaw Omer

  3. Department of Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA

    Laszlo Kiraly

Authors
  1. Sarah J. Diamond
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  2. Endashaw Omer
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  3. Laszlo Kiraly
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Correspondence to Sarah J. Diamond.

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Nutrition and Obesity

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Diamond, S.J., Omer, E. & Kiraly, L. In Search of the Ideal Promotility Agent: Optimal Use of Currently Available Promotility Agents for Nutrition Therapy of the Critically Ill Patient. Curr Gastroenterol Rep 19, 63 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11894-017-0604-7

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