The energy expenditure of the mechanically ventilated critically ill patient. An analysis

This study characterizes the pattern of caloric expenditure of a group of 19 mechanically ventilated critically ill patients after surgery. Continuous measurements of metabolic rate were used to examine the total energy expended over an eight-hour period (10 AM to 6 PM) on 21 occassions. This allowed for determination of the energy expended during activity, rest, and sleep. The patients were observed to be resting, defined as lying motionless with eyes open and responsive to surrounding events, for 44 +/- 4 percent (SE) of the studied period. Sleeping, a state where the patient was not aroused by surrounding events, was observed for 17 +/- 3 percent of the studied period. Total energy expenditure was 4.8 +/- 1.8 percent greater than resting energy expenditure (REE). The REE was 13.1 +/- 2.3 percent above sleeping energy expenditure (awakeness factor), while activity energy expenditure was 17.1 +/- 2.9 percent above REE (activity factor). The respiratory quotient (RQ) during activity in the 15 patients receiving infusions of physiologic saline solution or 5 percent dextrose solution was significantly less (p less than 0.02) than the RQ during rest. This appears to be due to increased fat oxidation during activity.