Critical care dysmotility: abnormal foregut motor function in the ICU/ITU patient

While aspiration and feeding difficulties are well known challenges in the intensive care unit, their pathophysiology has been poorly understood. New information suggests that the critically ill are subject to profound alterations in motor and sensory function of the oesophagus, lower oesophageal sphincter, stomach, and duodenum which go some way to explaining their propensity to reflux and gastroparesis, with their attendant risks.