Nasointestinal tube in mechanical ventilation patients is more advantageous

Abstract Objective To assess the effects of two different nutritional mode on the occurrence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in patients on mechanical ventilation. Methods 70 patients admitted to the ICU and under mechanical ventilation, were randomly divided into the nasointestinal tube group and nasogastric tube group. Patients from both groups received enteral nutrition, using the same nutritional agent, through intubation. The duration of stay in the ICU, duration of mechanical ventilation, incidence of VAP, nutritional state, and survival of the intestinal tract were compared between the two groups. Results The duration of stay in the ICU, duration of mechanical ventilation and incidence of VAP in the nasointestinal tube group was lower than that in the nasogastric tube group (P<0.05). There was an increase in the levels of prealbumin and transferrin in the nasointestinal tube group (P<0.05). However, there were no obvious difference in the nasogastric tube group (P<0.05). The incidence of abdominal distension, diarrhea, regurgitation, aspiration, and hyperglycemia in the nasointestinal tube group was much lower than that in the nasogastric tube group (P < 0.05). Conclusion This study showed that enteral nutrition delivery using a nasointestinal way can effectively reduce the incidence of VAP and improve the nutritional status of patients under mechanical ventilation.