Nutritional support as part of the basic therapy of a patient in the acute period of ischemic stroke in the intensive care unit

Abstract

Ischemic stroke remains the predominant cause of disability in the population (3.2 per 1000 population). Only 8% of ischemic stroke survivors can return to their previous work. Nutritional support is an integral part of the multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of ischemic stroke in the intensive care unit during the acute and rehabilitation phases. Brain damage always has metabolic consequences on the patients body, and premorbid malnutrition and stroke-stroke malnutrition significantly affect disease outcomes. The incidence of malnutrition in patients with ischemic stroke varies widely, ranging from 6.1% to 62%, depending on the method for determining protein-energy malnutrition. Despite the relevance of the problem of nutritional support in patients with ischemic stroke, only a few specific recommendations are available in the literature for this category of patients. This review focuses on nutritional support for patients who require mechanical ventilation or admission in the intensive care unit for 48 h.