Disturbances of gastrointestinal motility in critically ill patients

Disturbances of gastrointestinal motility are a frequent problem in critically ill patients. The entire gastrointestinal tract can be afflicted and the clinical course of intensive care patients can be substantially complicated. Most commonly there are delays in gastric emptying, diarrhea and constipation. A variety of causes have to be taken into account. In addition to changes in the autonomic nerve system status (particularly elevated sympathetic tonus), drugs (e.g. catecholamines, opiates, sedatives and anticholinergics), electrolyte and glucose metabolism disorders and inflammation mediators also play an important role. For treatment a variety of motility effective drugs are available which require a differentiated use due to their different times of administration and mechanisms of action.