Intensive care medicine

Intensive care medicine is the specialty devoted to monitoring and treating patients with life-threatening illness or injury and acute organ failure, often using organ support and continuous observation.

Mechanical ventilation: Mechanical ventilation supports or replaces breathing by moving air into and out of the lungs. It supports gas exchange when respiratory failure prevents adequate breathing.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome: Acute respiratory distress syndrome is sudden inflammatory lung injury causing severe hypoxemia and bilateral pulmonary opacities. It is a major cause of respiratory failure requiring intensive respiratory support.
Acute organ failure: Acute organ failure is a sudden loss of an organ’s ability to maintain essential functions. It is the central clinical problem that intensive care monitors and supports.
High-dependency unit: A high-dependency unit provides closer monitoring and support than a general ward, but usually less than an intensive care unit. It serves patients needing escalation or step-down care without the full intensity of an ICU.
Post-intensive care syndrome: Post-intensive care syndrome comprises new or worsened physical, cognitive, or mental health problems after critical illness. Survival may be followed by lasting impairments that begin during intensive care.
Vasopressor: A vasopressor is a drug that constricts blood vessels or increases cardiac output to raise blood pressure. Vasopressors help restore circulation when shock causes dangerously low blood pressure.
Septic shock: Septic shock is sepsis with circulatory and cellular abnormalities that substantially increase mortality. It often requires vasopressors, antimicrobial treatment, and close organ monitoring.
Critical care nursing: Critical care nursing is specialized nursing for patients with life-threatening illness who need continuous assessment and support. Nurses provide bedside surveillance and coordinate much of the ongoing care.
Emergency medicine: Emergency medicine evaluates and treats acute illness and injury, especially during the initial period of care. It stabilizes many critically ill patients before intensive care takes over ongoing support.
ICU-acquired weakness: ICU-acquired weakness is diffuse muscle weakness developing during critical illness and intensive care. Immobility, inflammation, and organ support can leave survivors with substantial physical limitations.

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