DELIRIUM IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS IN THE ICU
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/arev8n6-008Keywords:
Delirium, Intensive Care Unit, Critically Ill Patient, Risk Factors, Early Diagnosis, PreventionAbstract
This study addresses delirium in critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU), an acute neuropsychiatric condition characterized by alterations in attention, consciousness, and cognition, frequently associated with increased morbidity and mortality, length of hospital stay, and healthcare costs. The objective was to analyze the main scientific evidence related to the epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and prognosis of delirium in critically ill patients. This is an integrative literature review with a qualitative and descriptive approach, carried out through searches in PubMed, SciELO, Springer Link, Frontiers, and Cochrane Library databases, including studies published between 2022 and 2025. The results demonstrated a high prevalence of delirium in patients under mechanical ventilation, as well as an association with persistent cognitive sequelae and increased mortality risk. The CAM-ICU stood out as an important diagnostic tool, while non-pharmacological preventive strategies and the use of dexmedetomidine showed better therapeutic outcomes. It is concluded that delirium represents an important marker of clinical severity, requiring early diagnosis, standardized multiprofessional protocols, and integrated interventions to reduce complications and improve clinical outcomes in intensive care.
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