Boclet Final_500

Lecture 2
“Glutamine role
in critically
ill patients”
Prof. George Abi Saad
Professor of Clinical Surgery
Head of Trauma Services and Surgical Critical Care
American University of Beirut Medical Center
Beirut, Lebanon.
Main messages:
Lecture was focusing on importance of IV Glutamine in critically ill
patients when administered in in right patient with right dose.
Also Prof. George showed that IV glutamine still have a big role
even after recent ASPEN and Canadian guidelines if clinicians make
sure avoiding contraindicated patients.
“Low plasma glutamine at
ICU admission is associated
with increased mortality.”
(Prof. Abi Saad)
Take home massages:
• Low plasma glutamine at ICU admission is associated with increased
mortality.
• Plasma glutamine levels may be restored.
• Clinical effects of glutamine supplementation are related to length of
treatment.
• Clinical evidence for glutamine supplementation is high.
• Patient needs ENOUGH glutamine (0.3-0.5 g/Kg BW/day).
• Patient needs glutamine EARLY enough (as soon as possible).
• Patient needs glutamine LONG enough (> 5- 9 days).
“Clinical effects of
glutamine supplementation
are related to length
of treatment.”
(Prof. Abi Saad)