Use of intravenous lipids in critically ill patients with sepsis without and with hepatic failure

Background: Fat is the preferred energy fuel both in patients with sepsis and with hepatic failure. Thus lipid emulsions should serve as an ideal nutritional substrate in parenteral nutrition. However, previous studies have generated conflicting results on the utilization of artificial lipids in these disease states, and systematic studies in critically ill patients with combined organ dysfunctions and additional complications are lacking. We compared the elimination, hydrolysis, and oxidation of a 20% lipid emulsion in critically ill patients on respiratory support with sepsis and with sepsis plus hepatic failure and in healthy control subjects. Setting: Medical critical care unit of a university hospital. Subjects and Methods: Eight critically ill patients with sepsis, 8 patients with sepsis and decompensated chronic hepatic failure, and 10 healthy volunteers were investigated. Elimination and hydrolysis was evaluated during constant IV infusion of 4.5 mg kg body wt(-1) . min(-1) of triglycerides during 120 minutes. Concentrations of plasma triglycerides, free fatty acids, and glycerol were measured, and elimination parameters were analyzed from plasma curves of triglycerides by using a two-compartment model. Resting energy expenditure and substrate oxidation were measured by indirect calorimetry. Results: In patients with sepsis without and with hepatic failure the rise in plasma triglycerides was blunted and the clearance of triglycerides was enhanced by 20% and 40% (p < .05), respectively, compared with healthy controls. Basal free fatty acid concentrations were elevated, and the rise of free fatty acids and glycerol was comparable to healthy subjects. Energy expenditure was increased and lipid oxidation (as fraction of total energy expenditure) was slightly elevated in both patient groups; the rise in lipid oxidation during lipid infusion was comparable to controls. No side effects or impairment of gas exchange was seen. Conclusions: In a clinically relevant dosage range, the utilization of an IV lipid emulsion, the elimination and hydrolysis of triglycerides, and the lipid oxidation is not impaired in ventilated critically ill patients with sepsis or sepsis and chronic hepatic failure. Lipid emulsions thus are efficiently metabolized in critically ill patients with combined organ dysfunctions and associated sepsis.