Nutrition therapy in non-intubated patients with acute respiratory failure: a narrative review

Abstract

Objectives. Non-invasive ventilation use is increasing in patients from acute respiratory failure. However, nutritional assessment and medical nutritional therapy are often missed and patients may be frequently underfed. This review evaluates the tools for nutritional screening and assessment, assesses the use of medical nutritional therapy in various techniques of non invasive ventilation and suggested tools to improve this therapy.

Methods, results. A review of the literature was performed to evaluate the tools available to define malnutrition and determine the energy needs of patients requiring non invasive ventilation. Energy and protein intake was assessed in 16 recent papers. High Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen therapy and non invasive ventilation using mask were described and nutritional therapy determined in each condition.

The Global Leadership International Malnutrition Assessment seems to be the best assessment to be recommended. Energy expenditure is optimally obtained by indirect calorimetry. Patients with Non invasive ventilation are even more underfed than patients receiving High Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen therapy.

Conclusions. A better determination of malnutrition, a more adequate energy requirement and an improved energy and protein administration are required in patients with acute respiratory failure treated with non invasive ventilation.