title: Neuromuscular complications in intensive care patients.
abstract: Increased survival of critically ill patients has focused the attention on secondary complications of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, mainly ICU-acquired weakness (ICUAW). ICUAW is relatively common with significant impact on recovery. Prolonging mechanical ventilation and overall hospitalization time, increased mortality, and persistent disability are the main problems associated with ICUAW. The chapter deals mainly with the differential diagnosis of neuromuscular generalized weakness that develops in the ICU, but focal ICUAW is reviewed too. The approach to the diagnosis and the yield of various techniques (mainly electrophysiological and histological) is discussed. Possible therapeutic interventions of this condition that modify the course of this deleterious situation and lead to better rehabilitation are discussed. The current postulated mechanisms associated with ICUAW (mainly the more frequent critical illness neuropathy and myopathy) are reviewed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel. Electronic address: zohara@ekmd.huji.ac.il.
authors.forename: Zohar
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Argov
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesia Intensive Care and Postoperative Care, Division of Neuroanaesthesia and Neurocritical Care, University of Brescia, Spedali Civili, Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Latronico
mesh_terms: D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects
keywords: ICU myopathy; ICU neuropathy; ICU weakness; critical illness; drug-induced weakness; rhabdomyolysis