ICU Acquired Weakness

ICU-Acquired Weakness (ICUAW)

• The most common cause of muscle weakness in the ICU is ICUAW.

Characteristics of ICUAW

• Primarily affects peripheral muscles, not respiratory muscles.
• Affects 25-50% of patients staying in the ICU for over 7 days.
• Diagnosed in 20-30% of patients intubated for 5-7 days.

Key Features of ICUAW

• Main characteristic: diffuse, symmetric, flaccid weakness of the limbs, often accompanied by muscle wasting.

Test your knowledge on intensive care unit acquired weakness (ICUAW) with this quiz. Learn about the definition, pathophysiological mechanisms, classification, causes, risk factors, clinical manifestations, diagnostic strategy, criteria for diagnosis, and collaborative care for patients with ICUAW.