BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are exposed to many sources of discomfort. Although increasing attention is being given to the detection and treatment of pain, very little is given to the detection and treatment of dyspnea (defined as "breathing discomfort"). METHODS: Published information on the prevalence, mechanisms, and potential negative impacts of dyspnea in mechanically ventilated patients are reviewed. The most appropriate tools to detect and quantify dyspnea in ICU patients are also assessed. RESULTS/ CONCLUSIONS: Growing evidence suggests that dyspnea is a frequent issue in mechanically ventilated ICU patients, is highly associated with anxiety and pain, and is improved in many patients by altering the ventilator settings. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies are needed to better delineate the impact of dyspnea in the ICU and to define diagnostic, monitoring and therapeutic protocols.
BACKGROUND: Intensive care unit (ICU) patients are exposed to many sources of discomfort. Although increasing attention is being given to the detection and treatment of pain, very little is given to the detection and treatment of dyspnea (defined as "breathing discomfort"). METHODS: Published information on the prevalence, mechanisms, and potential negative impacts of dyspnea in mechanically ventilated patients are reviewed. The most appropriate tools to detect and quantify dyspnea in ICUpatients are also assessed. RESULTS/ CONCLUSIONS: Growing evidence suggests that dyspnea is a frequent issue in mechanically ventilated ICU patients, is highly associated with anxiety and pain, and is improved in many patients by altering the ventilator settings. CONCLUSIONS: Future studies are needed to better delineate the impact of dyspnea in the ICU and to define diagnostic, monitoring and therapeutic protocols.
Authors: Lluís Blanch; Ana Villagra; Bernat Sales; Jaume Montanya; Umberto Lucangelo; Manel Luján; Oscar García-Esquirol; Encarna Chacón; Anna Estruga; Joan C Oliva; Alberto Hernández-Abadia; Guillermo M Albaiceta; Enrique Fernández-Mondejar; Rafael Fernández; Josefina Lopez-Aguilar; Jesús Villar; Gastón Murias; Robert M Kacmarek Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2015-02-19 Impact factor: 17.440
Authors: A Demoule; M Clavel; C Rolland-Debord; S Perbet; N Terzi; A Kouatchet; F Wallet; H Roze; F Vargas; C Guerin; J Dellamonica; S Jaber; L Brochard; T Similowski Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2016-09-30 Impact factor: 17.440