Sep 14, 2025
1:00 PM2:00 PM
Poster Session
P444 - ORAL FEEDING POST-MECHANICAL VENTILATION: KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL NUTRITIONAL TRANSITION
P444
ORAL FEEDING POST-MECHANICAL VENTILATION: KEYS TO A SUCCESSFUL NUTRITIONAL TRANSITION
V. A. Fugas1,2,3,*, J. I. Barion1,3, M. V. Malachevsky1,3, P. Astegiano1,2,3
1Unidad de Soporte Nutricional, 2Unidad de Terapia Intensiva, 3Equipo Interdisciplinario de Disfagia, Hospital Dr. J.M. Cullen, Santa Fe, Argentina
Rationale: Oral feeding after mechanical ventilation (MV) is a complex and often overlooked process, particularly regarding the safe achievement of nutritional targets during hospitalization. Timely progression to complete, sufficient nutrition requires continuous interdisciplinary care from ICU to ward.
Methods: Preliminary data from a prospective study (Jan–Mar 2025) of patients ≥18 years, with MV ≥48h and Gugging Swallowing Screen-ICU (GUSS-ICU) >6. Daily nutritional/swallowing data were recorded until endpoint: safe (GUSS-ICU=10) and sufficient (≥90% of caloric and protein targets) exclusive oral feeding. Interdisciplinary follow-up was based on an institutional protocol. Descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, and Kaplan-Meier analysis were used. Groups were defined by the mean time to endpoint (≤3 vs. >3 days).
Results: 22 patients were analyzed. On day 1, 54.5% were in the ICU; on day 2, 28.6%; and by day 3, all had been transferred to the ward. Those with exclusive oral intake on day 1 (all with GUSS-ICU=10) reached the endpoint faster (2 vs. 4 days; p = 0.044). The ≤3-day group (n = 14) had higher oral caloric (64.6% ± 34.5 vs. 50.4% ± 31.4) and protein adequacy (57.4% ± 31.3 vs. 45.3% ± 30.5) on day 1, although differences were not significant. Semi-solid feeding on day 1 was associated with longer time to endpoint (2 vs. 4 days; p = 0.036). No significant differences in total intake (all routes) on day 1 (calories: 30.1 ± 6.6 vs. 28.5 ± 12.2 kcal/kg/day, p = 0.733; protein: 1.5 ± 0.3 vs. 1.4 ± 0.6 g/kg/day, p = 0.639), or on days 2 and 3 (p >0.05).
Conclusion: Early exclusive oral feeding in patients with GUSS-ICU=10 was associated with faster achievement of complete, safe, and sufficient nutrition. When oral intake is insufficient, enteral feeding remains essential to meet targets. These findings support the need for continuous interdisciplinary care from ICU to ward.
Disclosure of Interest: None declared