Gut feeding vs. IV: which saves more lives in the ICU?
NCT ID NCT01802099
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Sep 04, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study looked at whether giving nutrition through a tube into the stomach (enteral) or through a vein (parenteral) early on affects survival in very sick patients who need a breathing machine and heart-support medications. Over 2,400 adults in intensive care units were randomly assigned to one of the two feeding methods. The main goal was to see which approach led to fewer deaths by day 28.
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Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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2,410 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Mar 2013
- Finished
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Sep 2015
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Invasive mechanical ventilation expected to be required more than 48 hours * Nutrition started within 24 hours after initiation of endotracheal mechanical ventilation * Treatment with vasoactive drug administered via a central venous catheter * Age over 18 years * Signed information Exclusion Criteria: * Abdominal surgery within 1 month before inclusion * History of esophageal, gastric, duodenal or pancreatic surgery * Bleeding from the esophagus, stomach or bowel * enteral nutrition via gastrostomy or jejunostomy * pregnancy * Treatment-limitation decisions * Current inclusion in a trial on comparison between enteral and parenteral nutrition
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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CH Docteur Schaffner
Lens, 62307, France
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CH Louis Pasteur
Chartres, 28018, France
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CH Marc Jacquet
Melun, 77000, France
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CH de Dieppe
Dieppe, 76202, France
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CH de Montauban
Montauban, 82013, France
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CH de Saint Malo
St-Malo, 35400, France
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CHD Vendée - service de réanimation
La Roche-sur-Yon, 85000, France
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CHI André Grégoire
Montreuil, 93105, France
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CHU Amiens
Amiens, 80054, France
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CHU Besançon-Hôpital Jean Minjoz
Besançon, 25000, France
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CHU Dijon
Dijon, 21079, France
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CHU Gabriel Montpied, Clermont Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand, 63003, France
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CHU Grenoble
Grenoble, 38043, France
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CHU Lille
Lille, 59000, France
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CHU Louis Mourier
Colombes, 92701, France
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CHU Paris Cochin
Paris, 75014, France
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CHU Pellegrin Tripode
Bordeaux, 33076, France
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CHU Pointe à Pitre - Abymes
Point À Pitre, 97110, France
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CHU Poitiers
Poitiers, 86021, France
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CHU Saint Etienne-Hôpital Nord
Saint-Etienne, 42055, France
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CHU Saint Louis
Paris, 75010, France
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CHU Saint-Antoine
Paris, 75012, France
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CHU Tours
Tours, 37044, France
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CHU d'Angers
Angers, 49933, France
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CHU de Bicêtre
Le Kremlin-Bicêtre, 94275, France
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CHU de Lyon- Hôpital de la Croix Rousse
Lyon, 69004, France
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CHU de Nantes - Hôtel Dieu
Nantes, 44093, France
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CHU de Nantes, Hopital Laennec
Nantes, 44000, France
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CHU de Strasbourg - Hôpital de Hautepierre
Strasbourg, 67098, France
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CHU de Strasbourg - Nouvel Hôpital Civil
Strasbourg, 67091, France
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Centre Hospitalier Jacques Puel
Rodez, 12000, France
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Centre Hospitalier de Beauvais
Beauvais, 60021, France
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Centre hospitalier d'Annecy
Annecy, 74374, France
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Groupe Hospitalier Paris Saint Joseph
Paris, 75014, France
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Hospices Civils de Lyon
Lyon, 69437, France
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Hôpital Delafontaine
Saint-Denis, 93200, France
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Hôpital Emile Muller
Mulhouse, 68100, France
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Hôpital Foch
Suresnes, 92150, France
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Hôpital Raymond Poincarre
Garches, 92380, France
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Hôpital Tenon
Paris, 75020, France
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Hôpital de La Source, CHR Orléans
Orléans, 45067, France
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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