Patent ID: 6365128
Filing Date: 2002-04-02
Classification: A61K

Abstract:
A method of determining whether to initiate, terminate or modify a patient's medical intervention, the intervention comprising one or more supports selected from the group consisting of: a) mechanical ventilation of said patient, b) enteral feeding of said patient, and c) intravenous administration of one or more vasoactive agents, said method comprising,a) administering an effective dose of a gastric acid stimulant or suppressant agent to the patient; b) measuring a change in the patient's gastric juice pH of at least 1.0 pH unit responsive to said dose; and c) either terminating, failing to initiate, or reducing said support based at least in part on said change in gastric juice pH, or initiating, maintaining, or increasing said support based at least in part on the absence of said change.