Post-traumatic stress disorder after prolonged mechanical ventilation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13546-012-0629-8Keywords:
Cardiogenic shock, Echocardiography, SwanGanz, VasopressorAbstract
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is an increasingly identified psychiatric disease in the intensive care unit (ICU) patients. PTSD is common in young, anxious, and depressed patients, however not related to gender. PTSD is frequent in case of prolonged ICU stay. PTSD prevalence is elevated but difficult to determine due to the variability of methods used in the available studies. Pharmacological (benzodiazepines and opioids), hormonal (serum cortisol concentration), and contextual (delirium, lack of sleeping) risk factors have been identified. Since PTSD may compromise further patient’s quality of life, its management in the ICU should be improved.