Gastrointestinal complications in critical care patients and effects of mechanical ventilation on the gastrointestinal tract

Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) especially those who require mechanical ventilation are at increased risk for developing gastrointestinal (GI) complications such as bleeding, infection, and motility dysfunction. It is estimated that prevalence of GI patients approximately 50-80% lots go undiagnosed. Complications can affect different parts system, including esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large liver, pancreas. Effects might include dysmotility, diarrhea, inflammation, direct mucosal injuries, ulcerations, it be associated with high mortality rates. Moreover, believed tract has a significant contribution development multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) critically ill patients. Mechanical either alone or association other critical illness may have multitude effects on almost all organs gastro-intestinal tract. Attention interaction side improve outcomes potentially mortality. In this review, we describe mechanisms proposed induced which patient. Keywords: PEEP, Prone position, Dysmotility, GERD, Ileus, Aspiration, Acalculous cholecystitis