Crit Care Resusc
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Study protocol for the Augmented versus Routine Approach to Giving Energy Trial (TARGET).
Nutrition is routinely provided to critically ill patients who are mechanically ventilated and remain in the intensive care unit for more than a few days. Nasogastric feeding, which is standard practice for patients who are unable to tolerate oral nutrition, typically delivers less than 60% of the recommended energy requirements. It remains uncertain whether the delivery of about 100% of the recommended energy goals via the enteral route will affect survival and other important clinical outcomes. ⋯ The results of this trial are expected to determine whether increased energy delivery, using an energy-dense formula can improve clinically meaningful outcomes, including survival.