Obesity in the intensive care unit.
The exact prevalence of obesity among critically ill patients is not known, but some evidence suggests that in the United States one in four patients in the intensive care unit is obese. The authors review the physiologic alterations in obesity that are relevant in critical illness and highlight some common diseases associated with obesity. Various practical challenges in the care of the critically ill obese patient, including drug dosing, are also reviewed.
Honiden
Shyoko
S
Department of Medicine, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8057, USA.
McArdle
John R
JR
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003422:Critical Care; D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy