‘In this large, international cohort study of more than 2000 patients with severe COVID-19, acute brain dysfunction (coma or delirium) was more common and more prolonged than observed in other studies of patients with acute respiratory failure without COVID-19. Patients with COVID-19 also received treatment with sedatives for a prolonged duration: two-thirds of patients were given benzodiazepines and propofol for a median of 7 days.
‘As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many ICUs were operating in resource-constrained environments, and despite demonstrated efficacy in previous studies, evidenced-based strategies, such as light sedation techniques, spontaneous awakening and breathing trials, avoiding benzodiazepines, early mobility, and family visitation, all occurred on fewer than 1 in every 3 days among patients with severe COVID-19. We found that risk of delirium among patients with severe COVID-19 was lower when benzodiazepine sedative infusions were avoided and family was present, whereas greater severity of illness and greater respiratory support was associated with a higher risk of delirium.’
Read here (The Lancet, Jan 8, 2021)
