Medication Use and Risk of Delirium in Mechanically Ventilated Patients

Abstract

One of the principal complications in patients in the intensive care unit, particularly in those receiving mechanical ventilation, is medication-induced delirium. The present study aimed to intensively analyze pharmaceutical factors affecting the development of delirium in mechanically ventilated patients using the electronic health records. The present study was designed as a retrospective case–control study. The delirium group included 500 mechanically ventilated patients. The non-delirium group included 2,000 patients who were hospitalized during the same period as the delirium group and received mechanical ventilation. A total of seven types of medications (narcotic analgesics, non-narcotic analgesics, psychopharmaceuticals, sleep aid medications, anticholinergics, steroids, and diuretics), conventionally used to manage mechanical ventilation, were found to be major risk factors associated with the occurrence of delirium. Since these medications are an integral part of managing mechanically ventilated patients, prudent protocol-based medication approaches are essential to decrease the risk of delirium.

Delyro Rizikos Veiksniai Ir Prevencija Intensyvios Terapijos Skyriuje

“…Tai pagrindžiama tuo, jog sukeliamas ilgalaikis per didelis centrinės nervų sistemos slopinimas, dėl kurio sutrinka nervinio impulso perdavimas [5,6]. Steroidai ir anticholinerginiai vaistai taip pat siejami su didesne delyro išsivystymo tikimybe, ypač ventiliuojamiems pacientams [12]. Yra įrodymų, kad opioidai, ypač kai jie dažnai naudojami sedacijai kartu su benzodiazepinais, didina delyro atsiradimo riziką.…”

Delirium in elderly patients with COPD combined with respiratory failure undergoing mechanical ventilation: a prospective cohort study

“…Delirium is a common yet easily overlooked abnormal mental state in elderly patients. It is manifested as a series of symptoms characterized by varying degrees of cognitive impairment, lack of orientation, and confusion, forming a syndrome [ 13 ]. Delirium is often characterized by obvious cognitive dysfunction and changes in the level of consciousness as the basic clinical features [ 14 ].…”