Medical nutrition therapy in patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: knowledge in progress

Nutritional support in adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) therapy is controversial. Although there are guidelines for the NS (Nutritional support) in pediatric patients with ECMO, in adults these guidelines are not available for the use, type, route and timing of nutritional therapy. In critically ill patients it is well known that early enteral nutrition is beneficial, however there is the possibility that in patients with ECMO early enteral nutrition leads to gastrointestinal complications. Likewise, there have not been established caloric targets, proteins and doses or types of micronutrients to use for this specific population being a challenge for the clinician. In addition, patients with ECMO are some of the most seriously ill in intensive care units, where malnutrition is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Regarding the use of parenteral nutrition (NP) it has not been described if it implies a risk of circuit failure at the time of introducing lipids to the oxygenator. Therefore, a correct evaluation and specific nutritional intervention by experts in the field is imperative to improve the prognosis and quality of life in this population, which is a primary goal in the care of adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygen.