Neurological problems are common among critically ill patients; they often signal
that other organs are failing, but are themselves important causes of morbidity and
mortality. Cognitive function may suffer as a consequence of septic encephalopathy,
the pathophysiology of which is poorly understood; however, the affected patients
usually return to their baseline when sepsis resolves. Seizures and cerebrovascular
disorders are also common in the intensive care unit. Neuromuscular complications
are important causes of failure to wean from mechanical ventilation and lead to substantial
long-term morbidity.
Acute quadriplegic myopathy - ARDS: acute respiratory distress syndrome - critical
illness myopathy - critical illness polyneuropathy - fulminant hepatic failure - seizure
- septic encephalopathy
