Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) describes a cluster of new or worsening physical, cognitive, and psychological problems that develop in survivors of critical illness treated in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). PICS is distinct from post-cardiac arrest syndrome, which refers specifically to the physiological consequences of cardiac arrest itself, though the two commonly co-exist in cardiac arrest survivors.
Physical manifestations of PICS include muscle weakness (ICU-acquired weakness), breathlessness, fatigue, and difficulties with activities of daily living. Cognitive manifestations include memory impairment, reduced processing speed, and executive function deficits. Psychological manifestations include PTSD, anxiety, depression, and intrusive memories of the ICU experience itself, such as procedures, sedation experiences, or overheard conversations.
PICS can also affect family members, sometimes called PICS-Family (PICS-F), with family members experiencing their own psychological distress following the ICU admission of a loved one. Recovery from PICS can take months or years. ICU follow-up clinics, available in some NHS trusts, provide holistic assessment and onward referral for PICS. The ICUsteps charity (icusteps.org) provides information and peer support specifically for ICU survivors and families.
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