Nutritional support of the mechanically ventilated patient

As with all critically ill patients, those requiring mechanical ventilation are susceptible to the wasting of illness and cannot survive without prompt nutritional support. It may be fair to say that the proper provision of nutrients, and in particular the avoidance of overfeeding, are even more crucial for this subset of critically ill patients. To maximize the overall benefits of feeding, it is crucial to provide the nutritional support early and enterally whenever possible. Therefore, the best strategy for early removal of the mechanical ventilatory support must include the timely and careful administration of nutrients, micronutrients, minerals, vitamins, and fluid, in conjunction with standard intensive care therapeutics and the appropriate respiratory muscle-strengthening program.