Table 1

Demographics of studied subjects


Critically ill patients (n = 132)

Age (years)
54.4 ± 1.5
Gender (male/female)
95:37
Body mass index (kg/m2)
27.4 ± 0.6
Days in ICU prior to study
8.0 ± 0.6
APACHE II score

     Admission
23.9 ± 0.5
     Study day
17.6 ± 0.6
Enteral feeding rate (ml/hour)

     Prior to breath testing
51.1 ± 2.9
     After breath testing
56.6 ± 2.8
Diagnosis, % (n)

     Sepsis
33% (44)
     Head injurya
23% (30)
     Multi-traumaa
22% (29)
     Burns
7% (9)
     Non-GI post-operative respiratory compromise
9% (12)
     Cardiac injury (ischaemia and failure)
11% (15)
Blood glucose level (mmol/l)

     Admission
9.7 ± 0.9
     Study day
8.0 ± 0.3
Biochemistry

     Albumin (g/l)
23.6 ± 0.5
     Bilirubin (μmol/l)
19.5 ± 2.5
     White cell count (× 109/l)
12.6 ± 0.5
     Serum creatinine (mmol/l)
0.134 ± 0.01
Medications, % (n)

     Opioid ± benzodiazepine
83% (110)
     Propofol
60% (80)
     Inotropes
69% (91)
Mechanical ventilation

     SIMV/pressure support ventilationb (n)
74:58
     Fraction of inspired oxygen
0.5 ± 0.01
     Positive end-expiratory pressure (cm H2O)
6.5 ± 0.3
     Peak inspiratory pressure (cm H2O)
24.5 ± 0.8

aSeven patients had head injury due to multi-trauma. bPressure support ventilation self-triggered mode. APACHE II, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II; GI, gastrointestinal; ICU, intensive care unit; SIMV, synchronised intermittent mandatory ventilation.

Nguyen et al. Critical Care 2007 11:R16   doi:10.1186/cc5685