Pathomechanisms of Non-Traumatic Acute Brain Injury in Critically Ill Patients

• Main Authors: Wojciech Dabrowski, Dorota Siwicka-Gieroba, Malgorzata Gasinska-Blotniak, Sami Zaid, Maja Jezierska, Cezary Pakulski, Shawniqua Williams Roberson, Eugene Wesley Ely, Katarzyna Kotfis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-09-01
• Series: Medicina
• Subjects: delirium; critical illness; hypoxia; hyperoxia; neuroinflammation; neurotransmitter agents
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1010-660X/56/9/469

Delirium, an acute alteration in mental status characterized by confusion, inattention and a fluctuating level of arousal, is a common problem in critically ill patients. Delirium prolongs hospital stay and is associated with higher mortality. The pathophysiology of delirium has not been fully elucidated. Neuroinflammation and neurotransmitter imbalance seem to be the most important factors for delirium development. In this review, we present the most important pathomechanisms of delirium in critically ill patients, such as neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter imbalance, hypoxia and hyperoxia, tryptophan pathway disorders, and gut microbiota imbalance. A thorough understanding of delirium pathomechanisms is essential for effective prevention and treatment of this underestimated pathology in critically ill patients.