Does XXXX increase gastric emptying in the critically ill?--results of a pilot study.

@entity1 @entity1443 @entity1339 @entity4391
OBJECTIVE: Based on the successful use of @entity1339 for the treatment of acute @entity4391 , we hypothesised that @entity1339 would increase gastric emptying and improve tolerance to enteral feeding in the critically ill @entity1 . METHODS: Eleven @entity1 intolerant of enteral feeds due to high gastric aspirates, were randomised to receive a 'study infusion' consisting of either @entity1339 (0.4 mg/hr) or 0.9% saline. If, after 12 hours the @entity1 was deemed intolerant of the nasogastric feed, the rate of the 'study infusion' was doubled. Those who remained intolerant after 24 hours of the 'study infusion' were 'crossed-over' and continued on the other infusion for a further 24 hours. Gastric emptying was assessed in each group before and after the infusion by measuring the hourly rates of feed "absorption" [(delivery rate + returned aspirates) - total aspirates] and @entity1443 absorption using the area under a time-concentration curve at 120 minutes (AUC120). Differences within and between groups were analysed using Students t test and one-way analysis of variance. RESULTS: Six @entity1 received @entity1339 first and 5 received the placebo first. Four of the 6 @entity1 receiving the @entity1339 first compared with all of those receiving placebo first required to be 'crossed-over' to the other infusion. While the hourly rates of feed "absorption" were greater for @entity1 receiving @entity1339 than for placebo, these differences did not achieve statistical significance. The mean @entity1443 AUC120 for all @entity1 who received @entity1339 was 3996 mg/min/L while that for placebo was 1929 mg/min/L (p = 0.21). CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that while @entity1339 may have a positive effect on gastric emptying and enteral feed absorption in critically ill @entity1 , the results did not reach statistical significance and an adequately powered study will be required to confirm this effect.
