1887
2 - Qatar Critical Care Conference Proceedings
  • ISSN: 0253-8253
  • EISSN: 2227-0426

Abstract

Delirium, the most prevalent form of acute brain dysfunction in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is characterized by inattention, changes in cognition and at times thought and perceptual disturbances (e.g., delusions and hallucinations). Recent estimates of delirium prevalence suggest around 70% of patients on mechanical ventilation will experience delirium during their critical illness and almost a third of days in the ICU are days spent with delirium1,2. There are at least three distinct motor subtypes of delirium: hypoactive (decreased movement), hyperactive (increased movement and at times agitation) and mixed (features of both). The hypoactive form predominates, is under-diagnosed and is associated with worse outcomes. Recent work has suggested that another psychomotor disturbance, catatonia may co-occur in up to a third of patients with delirium in the ICU3. Risk factors for the development of delirium include: pre-existing dementia, advanced age, hypertension, pre-critical illness emergency surgery or trauma, increased severity of illness, mechanical ventilation, metabolic acidosis, prior delirium or coma and use of certain delirium potentiating drugs such as anti-cholinergic and sedative hypnotic medications. Exact mechanisms leading to the development of delirium are unknown, however early evidence suggests neural disconnectivity of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and the posterior cingulate cortex. Reversible reduction of functional connectivity of subcortical regions and neuroinflammation leading to hippocampal and extra-hippocampal dysfunction, may play potential roles. Overall all brain volume loss and disruption in white matter tracts may be associated with new onset dementia in survivors of critical illness. Due to the heterogeneous phenotype of delirium, there may be multiple causative neurobiological mechanisms contributing to its development, instead of one unifying pathway. Delirium is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Much of the critical care literature about delirium has focused on the exposure of delirium and its relationship with acquired disabilities, as well as its effect on in-hospital and post-discharge excess mortality. Delirium is known to be predictive of new-onset dementia4, depression, excess mortality, longer lengths of stay, institutionalization at discharge, inability to return to work and increased cost of care in the hospital. Despite scant evidence, antipsychotic medications have historically been the treatment of choice for delirium, however recent findings suggest that typical and atypical antipsychotics have no effect on delirium duration in the ICU5. As delirium is characterized by alterations in the sleep wake cycle, some studies have explored the role of melatonin or ramelton in the prevention or treatment of delirium, with early promising results. Non-pharmacological interventions such as complete adherence to the ABCDEF (ssess, prevent, and manage pain; oth spontaneous awakening and breathing trials: hoice of analgesia and sedation; elirium assess, prevent, and manage; arly mobility and exercise; amily engagement/empowerment) bundle have shown benefit in reducing delirium prevalence in the ICU2.

Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/10.5339/qmj.2019.qccc.31
2019-11-05
2024-03-28
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. Girard TD, Thompson JL, Pandharipande PP, Brummel NE, Jackson JC, Patel MB, et al.  Clinical phenotypes of delirium during critical illness and severity of subsequent long-term cognitive impairment: a prospective cohort study. Lancet Respir Med. 2018; 6:3:213222.
    [Google Scholar]
  2. Pun BT, Balas MC, Barnes-Daly MA, Thompson JL, Aldrich JM, Barr J, et al.  Caring for Critically Ill Patients with the ABCDEF Bundle: Results of the ICU Liberation Collaborative in Over 15,000 Adults. Crit Care Med. 2019; 47:1:314.
    [Google Scholar]
  3. Wilson JE, Carlson R, Duggan MC, Pandharipande P, Girard TD, Wang L, et al.  Delirium and Catatonia in Critically Ill Patients: The Delirium and Catatonia Prospective Cohort Investigation. Crit Care Med. 2017; 45:11:18371844.
    [Google Scholar]
  4. Pandharipande PP, Girard TD, Jackson JC, Morandi A, Thompson JL, Pun BT, et al.  Long-term cognitive impairment after critical illness. N Engl J Med. 2013; 369:14:13061316.
    [Google Scholar]
  5. Girard TD, Exline MC, Carson SS, Hough CL, Rock P, Gong MN, et al.  Haloperidol and Ziprasidone for Treatment of Delirium in Critical Illness. N Engl J Med. 2018; 379:26:25062516.
    [Google Scholar]
http://instance.metastore.ingenta.com/content/journals/10.5339/qmj.2019.qccc.31
Loading
  • Article Type: Conference Abstract
Keyword(s): cognitive impairmentdeliriumdementiadepressionlong-term outcomesmortality and PTSD
This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error