Gastrointestinal complications in intensive care

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Gastroenterology
• Pathophysiology

Background:

• Gastrointestinal (GI) complications are common and serious in critically ill patients.
• These complications increase disease severity, mortality, and healthcare costs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the epidemiology, pathophysiology, and clinical aspects of GI complications in critically ill patients.
• To discuss diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
• To emphasize the gut-organ axis and systemic effects.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive literature review.
• Synthesis of epidemiological data.
• Elucidation of pathophysiological mechanisms.
• Discussion of clinical manifestations, diagnostics, and therapeutics.

Main Results:

• GI complications involve hemodynamic, inflammatory, neuro-endocrine, and microbiota factors.
• The gut-organ axis links intestinal issues to distant organ dysfunction.
• Multimodal interventions are crucial for managing these complications.

Conclusions:

• Prompt identification and management of GI complications are vital for critically ill patients.
• Addressing GI issues improves morbidity and prognosis.
• Understanding the gut-organ axis is key for comprehensive patient care.