Treatment of the delirious critically ill patient

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Netharland Journal of Critical Care

2012, Volume 16, Issue 6 : 200-205

Review

Treatment of the delirious critically ill patient

van Eijk M.M.J.

Department of Anesthesiology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, Netherlands

Abstract

Delirium is a commonly encountered disorder in critically ill patients. As delirium is associated with more adverse events and worse outcomes when compared to non-delirious patients, prevention and treatment of delirium in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients is of importance to intensivists. This article presents an overview of pharmacological (for example, prophylactic administration of antipsychotics) and non-pharmacological strategies (for example, early mobilisation and daily interruption of sedation) to prevent the occurrence of delirium and reduce its burden. Furthermore, an overview of pharmacological therapies (including α2-agonists and cholinesterase inhibitors) for treating delirium in ICU patients is presented. Finally, future directions for research are discussed. Copyright © 2012, Nederlandse Vereniging voor Intensive Care. All Rights Reserved.

Keywords

Delirium

Intensive Care Unit

Treatment

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