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Gastrointestinal Complications

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Non-Pulmonary Complications of Critical Care

Part of the book series: Respiratory Medicine ((RM))

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Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) complications in the critically ill population are important to recognize and manage because of their implications not only on nutrition but also the endocrine and immunomodulatory functions of the GI system. An understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the peritoneal and retroperitoneal components of the GI tract is essential to appreciating their impact on morbidity and mortality for critical care patients. Addressing these issues often requires a multidisciplinary approach which includes nursing, pharmacy, nutrition and physician input in order to prevent, recognize and actively manage complications including malnutrition, infection and bleeding. Gastrointestinal physiology is sensitive to the hemodynamic shifts which are common in the critically ill patient. The following discussion will address the alterations in gastrointestinal physiology in the critically ill patient, followed by a review of GI complications in the intensive care unit using an anatomic-based approach. The pathophysiology, diagnosis and management of these complications will be discussed using an evidence-based approach.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    Preeti Dhar M.D.

  2. Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care, Mount Sinai Hospital, University of Toronto, 600 University Avenue, Room 18-232, Toronto, ON, Canada, M5G 1X5

    Eddy Fan M.D., Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Preeti Dhar M.D.
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  2. Eddy Fan M.D., Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Preeti Dhar M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Pulmonary, Critical Care, and Sleep, Harvard Medical School Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    Jeremy B. Richards

  2. Pulmonary and Critical Care, University of Vermont College of Medicine, Burlington, Vermont, USA

    Renee D. Stapleton

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Dhar, P., Fan, E. (2014). Gastrointestinal Complications. In: Richards, J., Stapleton, R. (eds) Non-Pulmonary Complications of Critical Care. Respiratory Medicine. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0873-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-0873-8_5

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-0872-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-0873-8

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