Critical Care Medicine

Catatonia, a syndrome of motor, emotional and behavioral abnormalities frequently characterized by muscular rigidity and a trance-like mental stupor and at times manifesting with great excitement or agitation, can occur during a critical illness and appear similar to delirium. But the management strategies are vastly different. Read More

With other risk factors held equal, children who received a benzodiazepine sedative drug were nearly three times more likely to experience delirium – confused thought – the following day. Read More

High levels of blood markers for vascular endothelial dysfunction were associated with longer periods of confusion in ICU patients, Vanderbilt researchers have discovered. Read More

Arthur Wheeler, M.D., and his wife, Lisa, pose with the portrait of Wheeler that was unveiled at a special reception last week honoring his career accomplishments and service to VUMC. Read More

Brandi Besheres, R.N., left, who works in the Critical Care Tower, and her good friend, McCauley Gatliff Robbins, who works in Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos’ office, were returning home from a day of shopping recently when Robbins’ baby, Reagan, experienced respiratory distress and struggled to breathe. Read More

Arthur Wheeler, M.D., professor of Medicine, received the 2015 Presidential Honor Lecture Award last month from the American College of Chest Physicians during the college’s international meeting in Montreal. Read More

The irregular heart rhythm atrial fibrillation increases the risk of death in patients in the intensive care unit. Read More

Patients who suffer a longer duration of delirium in the intensive care unit are more likely to experience long-term disability after discharge. Read More

In critically ill patients with sepsis, plasma hemoglobin may be a new indicator of disease severity – and a potential target for treatment with acetaminophen. Read More

Study suggests that the “kynurenine” biochemical pathway could be a target for reducing delirium and coma in critically ill patients. Read More