Factors Associated with Morbidity in ICU

What is it about?

ICUs can be error-prone settings, where even otherwise minor adverse events can lead to serious disability. Large volume resuscitations, positive pressure ventilation, surgical procedures, systemic inflammatory response, and changes in protein binding, all common in ICU patients, affect the pharmacokinetics of many drugs. In addition to acute hemodynamic effects, new-onset AF during critical illness is associated with both short- and long-term increases in the risk of stroke, heart failure, and death, with AF recurrence rates of approximately 50% within 1 year following hospital discharge. Pseudomonas or Acinetobacter pneumonia is associated with higher mortality rates than those associated with other organisms. Delirium has been associated with increased morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and cost for hospitalized patients, especially for patients in the ICU. 25% to 89% ICU patients are reported to be affected by delirium. It has been reported that approximately 19%–45% of the cases may go through prolonged intensive care after open heart operation. Diabetes mellitus may have adverse effect on ICU patients causing organ failure and complications. However, how DM intrinsically affects the ICU mortality, is still open for discussion.

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Photo by Hush Naidoo on Unsplash

Photo by Hush Naidoo on Unsplash