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Breath test may be a reliable measure of gastric emptying in critically ill patients

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Breath tests are an accurate alternative to scintigraphy for measuring the prevalence of delayed gastric emptying in critically ill patients, according to a study.

In a prospective observational study, investigators at Royal Adelaide Hospital in Australia measured gastric emptying (GE) using both scintigraphy and carbon breath tests. They found that gastric emptying of liquid nutrient is delayed in approximately 50% of critically ill patients. According to the researchers, a 24-hour cumulative gastric residual volume of 150 mL indicates slow GE and should prompt caregivers to consider promotility treatment without a reduction in feeding.

“The importance of this study lies in the determination of the prevalence of slow GE, which is likely to affect the success of nutrient delivery, and the accurate measurement of GE, in critically ill patients,” the researchers said.

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.