Evaluation of Feeding Intolerance in Patients with Pentobarbital-Induced Coma

BACKGROUND:There is considerable debate regarding the appropriateness of feeding patients by the enteral route in conjunction with pentobarbital coma therapy.OBJECTIVE:To determine the incidence of feeding intolerance (FI) in patients receiving pentobarbital in conjunction with enteral nutrition (EN).METHODS:A retrospective, observational evaluation of patients (>14 y of age) who received a therapeutic pentobarbital coma in combination with EN was conducted. Patients were divided into groups, based on the occurrence of FI defined as aspiration of gastric residuals greater than 75 mL for 2 consecutive measurements.RESULTS:Forty-eight percent (29 of 61) of patients experienced FI based on our definition. The median pentobarbital infusion rate did not differ significantly between patients who experienced FI versus those who did not (median [intraquartile range, IQR] 1.8 mg/kg/h [1.4, 2.1] vs 1.7 mg/kg/h [1.4, 2.5]; p = 0.680). The total pentobarbital bolus dose during the first 24 hours of therapy was lower ...