Replacing Protein Via Enteral Nutrition in Critically Ill Patients

The REPLENISH is a multicentric, international, open label, randomized controlled trial which will enroll subjects in intensive care unit. Patients will be randomized on day 4 of ICU admission. Until ICU day 4, protein requirement will be provided according to the local practice as long as no intravenous amino acids are given and the average protein intake in the first 4 days does not exceed 0.8 g/kg/day. On ICU day 4, patients will be randomized to one of the two treatment groups: one with standard prescription without supplemental proteins (maximum1.2 g/kg/day) from the primary polymeric formula and another group will receive the standard amount of proteins (maximum 1.2 g/kg/day) from the primary polymeric formula AND supplemental protein at 1.2 g/kg/day. Randomization will be stratified by suspected COVID-19 and then by site and the use of renal replacement therapy at the time of randomization (intermittent hemodialysis or continuous renal replacement therapy.