Burden of and risk factors for neurological complications in critical illness - Summary - MDSpire

Burden of and risk factors for neurological complications in critical illness

  • By

  • Victoria A. McCredie

  • Thomas P. Bleck

  • Sherry Hsiang-Yi Chou

  • E. Wesley Ely

  • Margaret S. Herridge

  • Julie Kromm

  • Pedro Kurtz

  • Nicola Latronico

  • Mypinder S. Sekhon

  • Gentle Sunder Shrestha

  • Romain Sonneville

  • Robert D. Stevens

  • Shawniqua Williams Roberson

  • Tarek Sharshar

  • June 30, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To synthesize evidence on the burden, risk factors, and management of neurological complications in critically ill patients without primary neurological disease.

Approach:
  • Evidence Synthesis: A structured search of PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library was conducted for studies from January 2000 to March 2026, focusing on adult ICU populations without primary neurological diagnoses.
Key Findings:
  • Neurological complications are common in critically ill patients and associated with increased mortality and prolonged ICU stays.
  • Delirium occurs in approximately one-third of ICU patients, exceeding 50% in mechanically ventilated cohorts.
  • Neuropathological data indicate that the prevalence of acute brain injury may be significantly higher than clinically recognized.
  • Ischemic stroke is the most frequent lesion found in postmortem studies, highlighting a gap in clinical recognition.
Interpretation:

The burden of neurological complications in critically ill patients is likely underestimated due to inconsistencies in definitions and surveillance practices.

Limitations:
  • Variability in case definitions and diagnostic criteria across studies limits comparability.
  • Underrecognition of subtle or fluctuating neurological manifestations may contribute to the underestimation of complications.
Conclusion:

Neurological complications in critically ill patients require improved recognition and management strategies.

Original Source(s)

Burden of and risk factors for neurological complications in critical illness

  • by Victoria A. McCredie, Thomas P. Bleck, Sherry Hsiang-Yi Chou, E. Wesley Ely, Margaret S. Herridge, Julie Kromm, Pedro Kurtz, Nicola Latronico, Mypinder S. Sekhon, Gentle Sunder Shrestha, Romain Sonneville, Robert D. Stevens, Shawniqua Williams Roberson, Tarek Sharshar

  • June 30, 2026

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