Delirium and sedation in the ICU.

Link to article at PubMed

Delirium and sedation in the ICU.

Neurocrit Care. 2011 Jun;14(3):463-74

Authors: Frontera JA

Abstract
Delirium is defined by a fluctuating level of attentiveness and has been associated with increased ICU mortality and poor cognitive outcomes in both general ICU and neurocritical care populations. Sedation use in the ICU can contribute to delirium. Limiting ICU sedation allows for the diagnosis of underlying acute neurological insults associated with delirium and leads to shorter mechanical ventilation time, shorter length of stay, and improved 1 year mortality rates. Identifying the underlying etiology of delirium is critical to developing treatment paradigms.

PMID: 21360232 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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