Three years after the REDOXS study: What we have learned in the use of glutamine in ICU patients?
Abstract
Critical illness has been associated with glutamine (Gln) plasma levels depletion and its supplementation is related with better outcomes. In 2013 the Reducing Deaths due to Oxidative Stress (REDOXS) study, showed that the supplementation of Gln to total parenteral nutrition was associated with higher mortality without conferring beneficial effects. These conclusions had a high impact in the clinical field: two of the main guidelines downgraded its recommendation. However, recent studies are answering questions regarding the safety use of this amino acid use and even suggesting new potential beneficial effects.
It is important to understand the main lessons learned of the REDOXS study related to the correct use of Gln intra venous and do not rule out its use for the intensive care unit patients. The scientific community is actively working in the field and we expect to have more evidence to guide the correct of this amino acid in parenteral nutrition.
Is hyperchloremia following sepsis resuscitation with 0.9% saline clinically important?
The authors of the article titled “Balanced salt solution versus normal saline solution as initial fluid resuscitation in pediatric septic shock: a randomized, double-blind controlled trial”, published in Critical Care and Shock, should be congratulated for design and conduct of a randomized, double-blind clinical trial in severely unwell children with sepsis. The patient population included in the study was severely unwell: all patients enrolled went on to require inotropic therapy, and overall mortality was 24.6%. This stands in contrast to industrialized countries, where inotrope use and death from septic shock are significantly lower. The generalizability of findings between regions...