Evaluation of Intestinal Brush Border Enzyme Function in Critically Ill Patients

Septic Shock:

Recruitment and inclusion criteria

• 15 mechanically ventilated critically ill patients fulfilling criteria of SIRS (2 symptoms: RR > 20/min, HR > 90/min, Temp. > 38°/< 36°, 12G/l< WBC < 4G/l; assumed or proven infection, persistent hypotension refractory to fluid therapy and need for vasopressors.
• Time window for inclusion: up to 72h after onset of symptoms

Exclusion criteria

• PLT < 50G/l,
• PT < 50%,
• Continuous therapeutic anticoagulation,
• DIC, st. p. MCI within 14 days,
• Gastrointestinal perforation,
• Age < 18 years,
• Age > 80 Years

SIRS:

Recruitment and inclusion criteria

• 15 mechanically ventilated critically ill patients fulfilling criteria of SIRS (2 symptoms: RR > 20/min, HR > 90/min, Temp. > 38°/< 36°, 12G/l < WBC < 4G/l; assumed or proven infection
• Time window for inclusion: up to 72h after onset of symptoms

Exclusion criteria:

• PLT < 50G/l,
• PT < 50%, continuous therapeutic anticoagulation,
• DIC, st. p. MCI within 14 days,
• Gastrointestinal perforation,
• Age < 18 years,
• Age > 80 Years

Healthy/controls:

• 15 control subjects will be recruited from the outpatient ward referred to the endoscopy of the Department of Medicine III - Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology for upper GI-endoscopy because of epigastric pain or reflux symptoms.

Inclusion criteria:

• Signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria:

• Patients with diarrhea of unknown origin, IBD or known celiac disease
• Age < 18 years
• Age > 80 Years
• PLT < 50G/l, PT < 50%
• Therapeutic oral anticoagulation