Overview
- Editors:
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G. Guarnieri
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Institute of General Clinical Medicine, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy
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F. Iscra
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Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Therapy, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy
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Table of contents (22 chapters)
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New Strategies on Metabolism and Nutrition
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Nutrition Steps for the Future
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Front Matter
Pages 175-175
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Gut and Nutrition
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Front Matter
Pages 185-185
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- L. Pironi, F. Paganelli, M. Miglioli
Pages 187-192
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- M. Zanello, L. Di Mauro, C. Santoro
Pages 193-201
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- G. Toigo, R. Situlin, B. Ciocchi
Pages 211-221
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Old Dilemma or New Strategies
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Front Matter
Pages 223-223
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- R. Tufano, M. Pezza, L. Ughi
Pages 225-232
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Back Matter
Pages 233-237
About this book
The critically ill patient in intensive care may present with serious metabolic alterations caused directly by the illness or secondarily by complications (e.g. infections, organ failure or sepsis) developing within a few hours of hospitaliza tion or in the following days. Among the situations which maintain and further trigger rapidly evolving altered metabolism are complex hormonal reactions, particularly those of the hypothalamus-hypophysis-adrenal axis, and abnormal stimulation of the autonomic nervous system. In fact, the sympathetic nervous system is known to cause significant metabolic alterations. For example, a surgery patient afflicted by septic complications may become hypercatabolic and experience significant nitrogen loss; the altered protein metabolism may in turn heavily influence carbohydrate and lipid metabolism as well. Thus, it is apparent that for optimal care of patients with altered metabolic functions, further knowledge is necessary regarding the physiopathology of metabolism and the physiopathological mechanisms, which alter the consump tion of principal energy substrates. Many experimental and clinical studies have investigated the metabolic aspects of individual organs or organ systems. However, for a correct evaluation of such metabolic events, in addition to studying the roles of metabolic enzymes, active metabolites, and the glutathione system, it is interesting to consider the use of indirect calorimetry as a valid and important investigative technique. The critically ill patient with major alterations in nutritional status may require artificial nutritive support administered through either parenteral or enteral routes.
Editors and Affiliations
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Institute of General Clinical Medicine, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy
G. Guarnieri
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Department of Anaesthesia, Intensive Care and Pain Therapy, Cattinara Hospital, Trieste, Italy
F. Iscra