Safety of enteral nutrition in patients with noninvasive ventilation for acute respiratory failure

Background: Early nutrition appears to be effective for acute respiratory failure; however, airway problems such as mucus plug and vomiting could be serious complications of noninvasive ventilation (NIV). The safety of early enteral nutrition among patients receiving noninvasive ventilation is not well known. Methods: Of 85 patients who admitted in our respiratory department for acute respiratory failure and received NIV more than 48 hours, data on 70 who were incapable of eating themselves were retrospectively examined. Comparing the patients with and without enteral nutrition, we investigated their clinical background and complications. Result: 49 (70%) of the 70 patients incapable of eating themselves who received NIV had enteral nutrition. Patients with normal PaCO2 level, low albumin level tend to receive enteral nutrition (p=0.049, Conclusion: Among patients receiving NIV, enteral nutrition didn9t improve in-hospital mortality, but was associated with an increased risk of airway problems and longer duration of NIV. This result could call attention to enteral nutrition in patients on NIV for acute respiratory failure.