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Sleep and Circadian Rhythm in Critical Illness

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Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2019

Part of the book series: Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine ((AUICEM))

Abstract

Sleep is controlled by two major regulatory systems: a circadian system that drives 24-h periodicity (Process C), and a homeostatic system (Process S) that ensures adequate amounts of sleep are obtained. Both processes are disturbed in critically ill patients, potentially due to exposure to sleep-altering medications (e.g., propofol), the structure of the intensive care unit (ICU) environment (e.g., workflow), aggravation of a pre-existing sleep disorder, and/or effects of acute illness (e.g., sepsis). As a result, patients may experience delirium, poor respiratory function, and dysregulated immune system reactivity. Several methods of measuring sleep in the ICU exist, although all provide their own challenges. A number of intervention-based therapies to improve ICU sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances have been explored, including noise reduction protocols, music therapy, light treatment, and different modes of mechanical ventilation. These studies have met with limited success.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Interdepartment Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    I. Telias

  2. Keenan Research Centre, Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute, St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    I. Telias

  3. Critical Care Medicine, University Health Network and Sinai Health System, Toronto, ON, Canada

    I. Telias

  4. Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada

    M. E. Wilcox

  5. Division of Respirology, Department of Medicine, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, ON, Canada

    M. E. Wilcox

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  1. I. Telias
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  2. M. E. Wilcox
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Correspondence to M. E. Wilcox .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Intensive Care, Erasme Hospital, Université libre de Bruxelles, Brussels, Belgium

    Jean-Louis Vincent

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Telias, I., Wilcox, M.E. (2019). Sleep and Circadian Rhythm in Critical Illness. In: Vincent, JL. (eds) Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2019. Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06067-1_50

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-06067-1_50

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-06066-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-06067-1

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