Intensive care unit-acquired weakness: framing the topic

Crit Care Med. 2009 Oct;37(10 Suppl):S296-8. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0b013e3181b6f1e1.

Abstract

One of the many potential sequelae of intensive care is prolonged weakness, which can be associated with increased morbidity during the intensive care unit stay and long-term functional disability. Despite increased awareness of this complication in recent years, diagnosing intensive care unit-acquired weakness remains difficult and there are no specific therapies. Management, therefore, relies on limiting its short- and long-term effects. One method by which this may be achieved is to reduce sedative use and promote early mobilization and exercise.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Critical Care / methods*
  • Critical Care / statistics & numerical data
  • Critical Illness / classification
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Intensive Care Units*
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
  • Muscular Diseases / diagnosis
  • Muscular Diseases / prevention & control
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / prevention & control*
  • Risk Factors