Oesophageal, gastric and small intestinal motility in critical illness [ 2005 - 2007 ]

Research Grant

Researchers: Prof Robert Fraser (Principal investigator) ,  Dr Robert Young ,  Prof Karen Jones ,  Prof Richard Holloway

Brief description A major concern in critically ill patients is the provision of adequate nutrition to facilitate recovery from devastating insults. Abnormal contractions of the oesophagus, stomach and small intestine occur commonly in critically ill patients. These may prevent effective feeding of patients at a time when they are especially vulnerable to malnutrition and also result in major complications such as pneumonia, septicaemia and gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The applicants, with the support of the NH and MRC, have had a longstanding interest in motility disorders of the gut and have made important contributions to knowledge about both the causes and treatments of the disturbances that occur in the oesophaus, stomach and small intestine. In the previous grant (207753) these studies have provided the most comprehensive studies to date of the motor abnormalities associated with gut dysfunction in critical illness which have important implications for treatment. The applicants now seek to continue their work by investigating the mechanisms underlying these motor abnormalities and the impact of therapeutic strategies designed to enhance delivery of nutrition to critically ill patients.

Funding Amount $AUD 494,250.00

Funding Scheme NHMRC Project Grants

Notes Standard Project Grant