Physical consequences of critical illness

Persistent inflammatory, immunosuppressed, catabolic syndrome (PICS): A new phenotype of multiple organ failure

A new phenotype of multiple organ failure has appeared: Persistent Inflammatory, Immunosuppressed, Catabolic Syndrome (PICS). Comorbidities and age >65 years have been established as the leading risk factors for PICS. As the percentage of elderly people continues to increase the prevalence of PICS in our ICUs will surely grow. Malnutrition (despite appropriate supplementation), recurrent nosocomial infections, frailty, ventilator dependence, and an indolent death depicts the central theme that plagues PICS patients. Aligned with the recently awarded P50 grant by NIGMS entitled, "PICS: A New Horizon for Surgical Critical Care", and the University Of Florida's Sepsis and Critical Illness Research Center will investigate the genetic make-up of PICS patients, better understand frailty and the implication in trauma patients, and hopefully elucidate new therapies. Currently, there are no therapies to combat PICS aside from nutritional inference elaborated after reviewing the literature on Burns, Cachexia, and Sarcopenia.

Chronic critical illness: prevalence, profile, and pathophysiology

The syndrome of chronic critical illness has well-documented emotional, social, and financial burdens for individuals, caregivers, and the health care system. The purpose of this article is to provide experienced acute and critical care clinicians with essential information about the prevalence and profile of the chronically critically ill patient needed for comprehensive care. In addition, pathophysiology contributing to chronic critical illness is addressed, though the exact mechanism underlying the conversion of acute critical illness to chronic critical illness is unknown. Clinicians can use this information to identify at-risk intensive care unit patients and to institute proactive care to minimize burden and distress experienced by patients and their caregivers.