Study of Low Carbohydrate Enteral Nutrition in Patients With Bacterial Septic Shock

Pilot Study of Low-Carbohydrate Enteral Nutrition in Patients With Bacterial Septic Shock

This pilot study aims to test the tolerability of low-carbohydrate enteral nutrition in patients with bacterial septic shock.

This study seeks to assess the tolerability of utilizing low-carbohydrate nutrition in patients admitted to the MICU with bacterial septic shock. Low carbohydrate feeds have been used before in the critical care setting and were well-tolerated.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients aged 18-65 admitted to the MICU with a diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic shock
2. Patients with 35 > BMI > 18.5
3. Patients with serum pro-calcitonin > 1 ng/mL in the first 24 hours of hospitalization

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with chronic kidney disease as defined by glomerular filtration rate < 60 for > 6 months
2. Patients with chronic liver disease as defined by radiographic or tissue evidence of cirrhosis or persistently abnormal liver function tests for > 6 months
3. Patients with current malignancies
4. Patients with autoimmune disease on current immunotherapy
5. Patients on corticosteroids at doses of prednisone or prednisone-equivalents > 5 mg for > 6 months
6. Patients with weight-reduction surgeries
7. Patients with positive viral studies in the first 24 hours of admission