Does Ileus Represent the Forgotten End Organ Failure in Critical Illness?

This review evaluates the current literature on ileus, impaired gastrointestinal transit (IGT), and acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) and its impact on multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Ileus is often under recognized in critically ill patients and is associated with significant morbidity and is potentially a marker of disease severity as seen in other organs like kidneys (ATN). A cohesive approach to the recognition, early diagnosis, and treatment of ileus in critically ill patients will help clear up its role in critical illness. It is important for the clinician to identify ileus in the setting of critical ileus and mitigate its impact on clinical outcomes mainly by affecting nutrition delivery and abortion. At worst, IGT can worsen clinical outcomes in the setting of critical illness and mitigating its impact is important.