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. 2024 May;39(2):226-233.
doi: 10.4266/acc.2023.01158. Epub 2024 May 24.

Beyond survival: understanding post-intensive care syndrome

Lovish Gupta  1 , Maazen Naduthra Subair  2 , Jaskaran Munjal  3 , Bhupinder Singh  4 , Vasu Bansal  5 , Vasu Gupta  6 , Rohit Jain  7
Affiliations

Beyond survival: understanding post-intensive care syndrome

Lovish Gupta et al. Acute Crit Care. 2024 May.

Abstract

Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) refers to persistent or new onset physical, mental, and neurocognitive complications that can occur following a stay in the intensive care unit. PICS encompasses muscle weakness; neuropathy; cognitive deficits including memory, executive, and attention impairments; post-traumatic stress disorder; and other mood disorders. PICS can last long after hospital admission and can cause significant physical, emotional, and financial stress for patients and their families. Several modifiable risk factors, such as duration of sepsis, delirium, and mechanical ventilation, are associated with PICS. However, due to limited awareness about PICS, these factors are often overlooked. The objective of this paper is to highlight the pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic methods, and available preventive and treatment options for PICS.

Keywords: ABCDEF bundle; COVID-19; cognitive impairment; impaired muscle regeneration; intensive care unit; postintensive care syndrome.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) manifestations. ICU-AW: intensive care unit-acquired muscle weakness; PTSD: post-traumatic stress disorder.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Muscle pathophysiology. TNF: tumor necrosis factor; IL: interleukin; UPS: ubiquitin-proteasome system.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Cognitive pathophysiology. IL: interleukin.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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