Clinical review: Agitation and delirium in the critically ill – significance and management
Year: 2007
Type: review
Abstract: Agitation is a psychomotor disturbance characterized by a marked increase in motor and psychological activity in a patient. It occurs very frequently in the intensive care setting. It may be isolated, or accompanied by other mental disorders, such as severe anxiety and delirium. Frequently, agitation is a sign of brain dysfunction and, as such, may have adverse consequences, for at least two reasons. First, agitation can interfere with the patient's care and second, there is evidence demonstrating that the prognosis of agitated (and delirious) patients is worse than that of non-agitated (non-delirious) patients. These conditions are often under-diagnosed in the intensive care unit (ICU). Consequently, a systematic evaluation of this problem in ICU patients should be conducted. Excellent tools are presently available for this purpose. Treatment, including prevention, must be undertaken without delay, and the ICU physician should follow logical, strict and systematic rules when applying therapy.
Source: Critical Care
DOI: 10.1186/cc5787
Authors: Jean-Claude Chevrolet, Philippe Jolliet
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,190
OpenAlex ID: W1977653448