Evaluating the Utility of ReliZORB™ for Treating Feeding Intolerance in Critically Ill Adults With Multi-Organ Failure

The purpose of this research is to determine if the use of ReliZORB™ improves nutrition tolerance and helps critically ill patients meet their nutrition goals. ReliZORB™ is a digestive enzyme cartridge that contains lipase and works as a pancreatic enzyme replacement. It promotes breaking down fat and helps the body absorb it. The device connects with tube feedings to help the body with digestion.

ReliZORB™ is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use with tube feedings in patients 5 years of age or older. While the use of ReliZORB™ in this study is consistent with the FDA approval, the use of ReliZORB™ in patients with multi organ failure is not in the current standard of care practice at Inova Health Care facilities.

This is a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design study. A total of 32 adult patients who have been admitted to the Surgical or Medical Intensive Care Unit over the previous 72 hours with evidence of MOF (defined as requiring inotropic/vasopressor support and mechanical ventilation) and who have not yet been initiated on enteral nutrition.

After informed consent has been obtained, two patients will receive enteral formula administered through ReliZORB™ as test subjects (will be excluded from analysis). Subsequently, patients will be randomized to ReliZORB™ vs placebo cartridges in a 1:1 ratio. Enteral nutrition will be administered through ReliZORB™ cartridges (1 or 2 cartridges per day depending on the volume of enteral nutrition). Patients will be studied for a total of 5 days (considered to be the end of study). Patients will return to the original form of nutritional support per their routine clinical care.

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* Male or female patients aged 18 - 89 years of age.
* Patients who have Multi-Organ Failure (MOF) (defined as requiring inotropic/vasopressor support and mechanical ventilation).
* Patients who have not yet been initiated on enteral nutrition, yet enteral nutritional support is needed. Enteral nutrition support defined as support planned to be given via any route connected to the gastrointestinal system (i.e., the enteral route). This includes tube feeding using nasogastric, nasoduodenal, gastrostomy, jejunostomy tubes, or similar.
* Patients who lack the capacity to consent for themselves may be included upon receiving consent form their legally authorized representatives.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Pregnant women and prisoners.
* Hypotension is attributed to suspected or confirmed cardiogenic shock.
* Moribund patients (expected to expire within 120 hours).
* Evidence of unresolved intestinal obstruction, ischemia, bleeding, perforation, fistulas or tract discontinuity, or other contraindication for enteral nutrition.
* Sepsis suspected or confirmed due to an abdominal source and enteral nutrition is contraindicated.
* C. Difficile or other gastrointestinal infection that may manifest with diarrhea.
* Constipation as a pre-existing comorbidity (defined as laxative or stool softener use prior to admission to the hospital).
* Use of pancreatic hormone stimulant or inhibitor (e.g. octreotide, pancreatic enzyme supplements) during or immediately prior to hospital admission.
* Use of parenteral nutrition.
* Patients receiving cancer-related treatment in the last 6 months.
* Any other reason that the treating or investigator team considers to be a contraindication to enteral nutrition.