Intravenous lipids in adult intensive care unit patients

Malnutrition of critically ill patients is a widespread phenomenon in intensive care units (ICUs) worldwide. Lipid emulsions (LEs) are able to provide sufficient caloric support and essential fatty acids to correct the energy deficit and improve outcome. Furthermore, components of LEs might impact cell and organ function in an ICU setting. All currently available LEs for parenteral use are effective in providing energy and possess a good safety profile. Nevertheless, soybean oil-based LEs have been associated with an elevated risk of adverse outcomes, possibly due to their high content of omega-6 fatty acids. More newly developed emulsions partially replace soybean oil with medium-chain triglycerides, fish oil or olive oil in various combinations to reduce its negative effects on immune function and inflammation. The majority of experimental studies and smaller clinical trials provide initial evidence for a beneficial impact of these modern LEs on critically ill patients. However, large, well-designed clinical trials are needed to evaluate which LE offers the greatest advantages concerning clinical outcome. Lipid emulsions (LEs) are a powerful source of energy that can help to adjust the caloric deficit of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. LEs possess various biological activities, but their subsequent impact on critically ill patients awaits further investigations.