Study of Low Carbohydrate Enteral Nutrition in Patients With Bacterial Septic Shock

This study seeks to assess the tolerability of utilizing low-carbohydrate nutrition in
patients admitted to the MICU with bacterial septic shock. Low carbohydrate feeds have been
used before in the critical care setting and were well-tolerated.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients aged 18-65 admitted to the MICU with a diagnosis of severe sepsis or septic
shock

2. Patients with 35 > BMI > 18.5

3. Patients with serum pro-calcitonin > 1 ng/mL in the first 24 hours of hospitalization

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with chronic kidney disease as defined by glomerular filtration rate < 60 for
> 6 months

2. Patients with chronic liver disease as defined by radiographic or tissue evidence of
cirrhosis or persistently abnormal liver function tests for > 6 months

3. Patients with current malignancies

4. Patients with autoimmune disease on current immunotherapy

5. Patients on corticosteroids at doses of prednisone or prednisone-equivalents > 5 mg
for > 6 months

6. Patients with weight-reduction surgeries

7. Patients with positive viral studies in the first 24 hours of admission