Delirium is a disturbance of consciousness associated with new-onset changes in cognition. It is associated with increased mortality and long-term cognitive impairment for ICU patients. This article reviews the current state of research in delirium in critical care.
ElyEWShintaniATrumanBDelirium as a predictor of mortality in mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit. JAMA2004;291: 1753–62.
2.
MeagherDO'HanlonDO'MahoneyRelationship between symptoms and motoric subtype of delirium. J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci2000;12: 51–56.
3.
InouyeS. Delirium in older persons. New Engl J Med2006;354: 1157–65.
4.
ElyEWInouyeSKBernardGRDelirium in mechanically ventilated patients: validity and reliability of the confusion assessment method for the intensive care unit (CAM-ICU). JAMA2001;286: 2703–10.
5.
BergeronNDuboisMJDumontMIntensive Care Delirium Screening Checklist: evaluation of a new screening tool. Intensive Care Med2001;27: 859–64.
6.
PandharipandePShintaniAPetersonJSedative and analgesic medications are independent risk factors in ICU patients for transitioning into delirium. Anesthesiology2006;104: 21–26.
7.
RyanC. Optimising management of delirium: placebo controlled trials of pharmacological treatments are needed. BMJ2001;322: 1602.