Enfermedad crítica crónica. Un desafío emergente en el contexto de la medicina de cuidados intensivos

Abstract

Hospital mortality of patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) has decreased in the last two decades despite an increase in disease severity. Advances in intensive care and the incorporation of new technologies have enabled fewer patients to express the early trajectory of multiple organ dysfunction and death in the acute stage of critical illness. However, some patients who survive acute illness remain dependent on intensive treatment for prolonged periods and constitute the chronic critical illness (CCI) population. This patient population frequently develops complications that limit quality of life and pose long-term survival challenges. Knowing more about CCI will facilitate the planning and implementation of patient- and family-centered care protocols regarding short- and long-term prospects.