OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the comparative efficacy of enteral cisapride, metoclopramide, erythromycin, and placebo for promoting gastric emptying in critically ill patients with intolerance to gastric enteral nutrition (EN).

DESIGN

A randomized, crossover study.

SETTING

Adult medical intensive care unit at a university-affiliated private hospital and trauma intensive care unit at a university teaching hospital.

PATIENTS

Ten adult, critically ill, mechanically ventilated patients not tolerating a fiber-containing EN product defined as a single aspirated gastric residual volume >150 mL or two aspirated gastric residual volumes >120 mL during a 12-hr period.

INTERVENTIONS

Patients received 10 mg of cisapride, 200 mg of erythromycin ethylsuccinate, 10 mg of metoclopramide, and placebo as 20 mL of sterile water every 12 hrs over 48 hrs. Acetaminophen solution (1000 mg) was administered concurrently. Gastric residual volumes were assessed, and plasma acetaminophen concentrations were serially determined by TDx between 0 and 12 hrs to evaluate gastric emptying.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Gastric residual volumes during the study were not significantly different between agents. No differences in area under the concentration vs. time curve or elimination rate constant were identified between agents. Metoclopramide and cisapride had a significantly shorter mean residence time of absorption than erythromycin (6.3+/-4.5 [SEM] mins and 10.9+/-5.8 vs. 30.1+/-4.5 mins, respectively [p<.05]). Metoclopramide (9.7+/-15.3 mins) had a significantly shorter time to peak concentration compared with erythromycin and placebo (60.7+/-8.1 and 50.9+/-13.5 mins, respectively [p<.05]). The time to onset of absorption was significantly shorter for metoclopramide vs. cisapride (5.7+/-4.5 vs. 22.9+/-5.7 mins [p<.05]).

CONCLUSION

In critically ill patients intolerant to EN, single enteral doses of metoclopramide or cisapride are effective for promoting gastric emptying in critically ill patients with gastric motility dysfunction. Additionally, metoclopramide may provide a quicker onset than cisapride.