Benzodiazepines and Delirium in ICU Patients
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We have learned an extraordinary amount about ICU delirium over the last 2 decades, which is associated with increased duration of mechanical ventilation, length of hospital stay, long-term cognitive impairment, and mortality in adults. There is no question that the cause of delirium can be multifactorial and challenging to diagnose in a complex patient within a complex ICU environment. However, a large body of evidence focused on modifiable risk factors has uncovered clear associations between sedative exposure, specifically benzodiazepines, and the development of delirium in medical and surgical ICU patients