The clinical application of two newly developed lipid emulsions (Solipid 20% S&E) in critically ill patients.

Objective: The clinical compatibility of two newly developed lipid emulsions based on soy oil (20%) emulsified with egg lecithin (12 g/l) or soy lecithin (15 g/l) (Solipid 20% E&S) has been compared.

Design: Double-blind prospective randomized study.

Setting: Intensive care unit of a university hospital.

Patients: 20 patients (16 men, 4 women, age 20-59 years) were entered into the study.

Interventions: One g of lipids/kg body weight per day was administered on day 1 and subsequently 2 g/kg/day on days 2-5. Blood was drawn once a day, lipids, lipoproteins, apoproteins and other routine clinical chemistry parameters were determined.

Results: No significant increase of total triglycerides could be observed. Total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, apolipoproteins A I and B usually remained below the reference ranges. Electrolytes, uric acid and glucose, blood cells, parameters of liver and kidney function, coagulation and protein metabolism did not show relevant changes; only the activity of gamma-GT in both groups--independent of the sort of lecithin--increased significantly.

Conclusion: The results indicate adequate elimination of both tested lipid emulsions from the plasma at usual clinical conditions. Therefore Solipid 20% S&E can be used in critically ill patients.