Abstract
Methods: This was a post-hoc analysis of the multicenter PermiT (Permissive Underfeeding versus Target Enteral Feeding in Adult Critically Ill Patients) trial which randomized 894 patients to permissive underfeeding (goal 40-60% caloric requirement) or standard feeding (goal 70-100% caloric requirement) with similar protein intake in the two groups and found no difference in 90-day mortality (primary endpoint), mechanical ventilation duration and ventilator-free days. The two groups had similar age, sex, body mass index, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score (22±7 versus 21±7 respectively; p=0.34), PaCO2 on day 1 (61±15 versus 60±18 respectively; 0.69) and PaO2:FiO2 ratio.