Olive oil based nutrition in multiple trauma patients: a pilot study

Objective A negative effect of hyperglycemia on clinical outcome has been proposed for patients treated under intensive care conditions. So far, however, the safety and effect of fat based nutrition regimen, especially of olive oil based emulsions, have not been systematically studied.Design and setting Prospective, open-labeled, randomized, pilot study in a 14-bed surgical intensive care unit.Patients and interventions Thirty-three consecutive, severe multiple trauma patients (injury severity score 31.6±11.5) were included; 18 (L group) received a parenteral lipid-based nutrition; 15 (G group) were given a standard parenteral glucose-based nutrition.Measurements and results The energy expenditure (EE) showed no difference between groups and no significant difference between the energy intake/EE ratio. The daily mean energy intake was lower in the L group (17.9±6.3 kcal/kg) than in the G group (22.3±4.2 kcal/kg). Triglycerides and nitrogen balance showed no significant differences between groups. The L group had significantly lower blood glucose (L 7.4±1.6, G 8.7±1.6 mmol/l), carbon dioxide production, and minute volume and shorter duration of mechanical ventilation (L 13.0±8.9, G 20.4±7.0 days), and stay in the ICU (L 17.9±11.2, G 25.1±7.0 days).Conclusions Our findings suggest a good tolerance, a decrease in blood glucose, clinically relevant shortening of ICU stay, and shorter time on mechanical ventilation for patients treated with olive oil based than with conventional glucose-heavy nutrition.Electronic Supplementary Material Supplementary material is available in the online version of this article at: This study was funded by the German Berufsgenossenschaften (Employers Liability Insurance Association) and Baxter Deutschland GmbH.