Gut dysmotility in the ICU: diagnosis and therapeutic options

Abstract

Purpose of reviewTo provide a comprehensive update of diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal dysmotility in the critically ill, with a focus on work published in the last 5 years.Recent findingsSymptoms and clinical features consistent with upper and/or lower gastrointestinal dysmotility occur frequently. Although features of gastrointestinal dysmotility are strongly associated with adverse outcomes, these associations may be because of unmeasured confounders. The use of ultrasonography to identify upper gastrointestinal dysmotility appears promising. Both nonpharmacological and pharmacological approaches to treat gastrointestinal dysmotility have recently been evaluated. These approach..