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Review
. 2022 Feb 23;10(3):526.
doi: 10.3390/biomedicines10030526.

Neuropsychological Outcome of Critically Ill Patients with Severe Infection

Maria Della Giovampaola  1 , Irene Cavalli  1 , Luciana Mascia  2
Affiliations
Review

Neuropsychological Outcome of Critically Ill Patients with Severe Infection

Maria Della Giovampaola et al. Biomedicines. .

Abstract

Sepsis and septic shock represent important burdens of disease around the world. Sepsis-associated neurological consequences have a great impact on patients, both in the acute phase and in the long term. Sepsis-associated encephalopathy (SAE) is a severe brain dysfunction that may contribute to long-term cognitive impairment. Its pathophysiology recognizes the following two main mechanisms: neuroinflammation and hemodynamic impairment. Clinical manifestations include different forms of altered mental status, from agitation and restlessness to delirium and deep coma. A definite diagnosis is difficult because of the absence of specific radiological and biological criteria; clinical management is restricted to the treatment of sepsis, focusing on early detection of the infection source, maintenance of hemodynamic homeostasis, and avoidance of metabolic disturbances or neurotoxic drugs.

Keywords: COVID-19; sepsis; sepsis-associated encephalopathy; sepsis-associated long-term cognitive impairment; septic shock.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Pathophysiology of sepsis-associated encephalopathy.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Strategies to prevent sepsis-induced long-term cognitive impairment. * according to recent guidelines.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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