Enteral Nutrition as Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in Critically Ill Patients.

Enteral Nutrition as Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis in Critically Ill Patients. Prospective, Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study.

study is to determine if proton pump inhibitors plus enteral nutrition is superior to enteral nutrition alone as a stress ulcer prophylaxis strategy in critically ill patients in terms of incidence of overt and significant GI bleeding related to stress gastropathy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18 years or older
• Admission to the medical ICU at University of Louisville Hospital or Jewish Hospital
• Expected need for mechanical ventilation > 48 hours
• No contraindication to EN within the first 24 hours after admission to the ICU

Exclusion Criteria:

• Evidence of active GI bleeding during current hospitalization prior to study entry
• Admission to ICU with primary diagnosis of burn injury
• Closed head injury or increased intracranial pressure
• Partial or complete gastrectomy
• Pregnancy or lactation