What is the Delirium Bibliography? The searchable Delirium Bibliography page is one of our most popular features, allowing you to quickly gain access to the literature on delirium and acute care of older persons. It is primarily intended for clinicians and researchers interested in exploring these topics. The NIDUS team keeps it updated for you on a monthly basis!
How to Search for Articles: Search by author, title, year, and/or keywords. Each article is indexed by keywords taken from MEDLINE and other relevant databases. Click on the title of the article to read the abstract, journal, etc.
Reference Information
- Title
- Risk Stratification of QTc Prolongation in Critically Ill Patients Receiving Antipsychotics for the Management of Delirium Symptoms
- Authors
- Sadlonova, M. Beach, S. R. Funk, M. C. Rosen, J. H. Ramirez Gamero, A. F. Karlson, R. A. Huffman, J. C. Celano, C. M.
- Year
- 2025
- Journal
- J Intensive Care Med
- Abstract
Background Patients experiencing significant agitation or perceptual disturbances related to delirium in an intensive care setting may benefit from short-term treatment with an antipsychotic medication. Some antipsychotic medications may prolong the QTc interval, which increases the risk of potentially fatal ventricular arrhythmias. In this targeted review, we describe the evidence regarding the relationships between antipsychotic medications and QTc prolongation and practical methods for monitoring the QTc interval and mitigating arrhythmia risk. Methods Searches of PubMed and Cochrane Library were performed to identify studies, published before February 2023, investigating the relationships between antipsychotic medications and QTc prolongation or arrhythmias. Results Most antipsychotic medications commonly used for the management of delirium symptoms (eg, intravenous haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine) cause a moderate degree of QTc prolongation. Among other antipsychotics, those most likely to cause QTc prolongation are iloperidone and ziprasidone, while aripiprazole and lurasidone appear to have minimal risk for QTc prolongation. Genetic vulnerabilities, female sex, older age, pre-existing cardiovascular disease, electrolyte abnormalities, and non-psychiatric medications also increase the risk of QTc prolongation. For individuals at risk of QTc prolongation, it is essential to measure the QTc interval accurately and consistently and consider medication adjustments if needed. Conclusions Antipsychotic medications are one of many risk factors for QTc prolongation. When managing agitation related to delirium, it is imperative to assess an individual patient’s risk for QTc prolongation and to choose a medication and monitoring strategy commensurate to the risks. In intensive care settings, we recommend regular ECG monitoring, using a linear regression formula to correct for heart rate. If substantial QTc prolongation (eg, QTc > 500 msec) is present, a change in pharmacologic treatment can be considered, though a particular medication may still be warranted if the risks of discontinuation (eg, extreme agitation, removal of invasive monitoring devices) outweigh the risks of arrhythmias. Aims This review aims to summarize the current literature on relationships between antipsychotic medications and QTc prolongation and to make practical clinical recommendations towards the approach of antipsychotic medication use for the management of delirium-related agitation and perceptual disturbances in intensive care settings.
- PMID
PMID: 38130132
- Keywords
Humans *Antipsychotic Agents/adverse effects/therapeutic use *Delirium/drug therapy *Long QT Syndrome/chemically induced Critical Illness Risk Assessment Risk Factors Female Intensive Care Units Male Electrocardiography QTc prolongation agitation antipsychotics drug safety neuroleptics
- Page(s)
- Volume
- Issue
| Title | Authors | Journal | Year | Keywords |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Effects of massage on outcomes of adult intensive care unit patients: a systematic review. | Jagan, S. Park, T. Papathanassoglou, E. | Nurs Crit Care | 2019 |
Complementary and alternative therapies |
| Perioperative Dexmedetomidine Reduces Delirium in Elderly Patients after Lung Cancer Surgery. | Huyan, T. Hu, X. Peng, H. Zhu, Z. Li, Q. Zhang, W. | Psychiatr Danub | 2019 | |
| The Oslo Study of Clonidine in Elderly Patients with Delirium; LUCID: a randomised placebo-controlled trial. | Hov, K. R. Neerland, B. E. Undseth, O. Bruun Bratholm Wyller, V. MacLullich, A. M. J. Qvigstad, E. Skovlund, E. Wyller, T. B. | Int J Geriatr Psychiatry | 2019 |
Delirium treatment |
| Delirium and Alzheimer disease: A proposed model for shared pathophysiology. | Fong, T. G. Vasunilashorn, S. M. Libermann, T. Marcantonio, E. R. Inouye, S. K. | Int J Geriatr Psychiatry | 2019 |
Alzheimer disease |
| Development and validation of a dynamic delirium prediction rule in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Units (DYNAMIC-ICU): A prospective cohort study. | Fan, H. Ji, M. Huang, J. Yue, P. Yang, X. Wang, C. Ying, W. | International journal of nursing studies | 2019 |
aged |
| Delirium and cognitive impairment among older patients in Norwegian emergency departments. | Evensen, S. Saltvedt, I. Ranhoff, A. H. Myrstad, M. Myrstad, C. Mellingsaeter, M. Wang-Hansen, M. S. Neerland, B. E. | Tidsskr Nor Laegeforen | 2019 | |
| Motor activity across delirium motor subtypes in geriatric patients assessed using body-worn sensors: a Norwegian cross-sectional study. | Evensen, S. Bourke, A. K. Lydersen, S. Sletvold, O. Saltvedt, I. Wyller, T. B. Taraldsen, K. | BMJ Open | 2019 |
accelerometer |
| Factors Associated With Delirium in Surgical Intensive Care Unit Patients Treated With Supplemental Melatonin: A Case-Cohort Study. | Cusimano, J. M. Welch, S. Perez-Protto, S. Lam, S. | Clin Neuropharmacol | 2019 | |
| Intraoperative blood transfusion predicts postoperative delirium among older patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery: A prospective cohort study. | Chou, M. Y. Wang, Y. C. Peng, L. N. Liang, C. K. Chu, C. S. Liao, M. C. Lin, Y. T. Hsu, C. J. Chen, L. K. | Int J Geriatr Psychiatry | 2019 |
aged |
| Postoperative delirium in critically ill surgical patients: incidence, risk factors, and predictive scores. | Chaiwat, O. Chanidnuan, M. Pancharoen, W. Vijitmala, K. Danpornprasert, P. Toadithep, P. Thanakiattiwibun, C. | BMC Anesthesiology | 2019 |
Intensive care unit (ICU) |
| Differential Clinical Characteristics, Management, and Outcome of Delirium among Ward Compared with ICU Patients. | Canet, E. Amjad, S. Robbins, R. Lewis, J. Matalanis, M. Jones, D. Bellomo, R. | Intern Med J | 2019 |
Agitation |
| Vitamin D levels and risk of delirium: A mendelian randomization study in the UK Biobank. | Bowman, K. Jones, L. Pilling, L. C. Delgado, J. Kuchel, G. A. Ferrucci, L. Fortinsky, R. H. Melzer, D. | Neurology | 2019 | |
| Single-bed rooms in a geriatric ward prevent delirium in older patients. | Blandfort, S. Gregersen, M. Rahbek, K. Juul, S. Damsgaard, E. M. | Aging Clin Exp Res | 2019 |
Delirium |
| Drug Prescription and Delirium in Older Inpatients: Results From the Nationwide Multicenter Italian Delirium Day 2015-2016. | Aloisi, G. Marengoni, A. Morandi, A. Zucchelli, A. Cherubini, A. Mossello, E. Bo, M. Di Santo, S. G. Mazzone, A. Trabucchi, M. Cappa, S. Fimognari, F. L. Incalzi, R. A. Gareri, P. Perticone, F. Campanini, M. Montorsi, M. Latronico, N. Zambon, A. Bellelli, | J Clin Psychiatry | 2019 | |
| Patient Safety Incidents Describing Patient Falls in Critical Care in North West England Between 2009 and 2017. | Thomas, A. N. Balmforth, J. E. | J Patient Saf | 2019 | |
| Have you SCAND MMe Please? A framework to prevent harm during acute hospitalisation of older persons: A retrospective audit. | Redley, B. Baker, T. | Journal of Clinical Nursing | 2019 |
acute disease |
| Low-Dose Ketamine Infusion to Decrease Postoperative Delirium for Spinal Fusion Patients. | Plyler, S. S. Muckler, V. C. Titch, J. F. Gupta, D. K. Rice, A. N. | J Perianesth Nurs | 2019 |
3d-cam |
| Nurses' experiences of caring for older patients afflicted by delirium in a neurological department. | Kristiansen, S. Konradsen, H. Beck, M. | Journal of Clinical Nursing | 2019 |
adult |
| Association of Delirium Response and Safety of Pharmacological Interventions for the Management and Prevention of Delirium: A Network Meta-analysis. | Wu, Y. C. Tseng, P. T. Tu, Y. K. Hsu, C. Y. Liang, C. S. Yeh, T. C. Chen, T. Y. Chu, C. S. Matsuoka, Y. J. Stubbs, B. Carvalho, A. F. Wada, S. Lin, P. Y. Chen, Y. W. Su, K. P. | JAMA Psychiatry | 2019 | |
| Effect of electroencephalography-guided anesthetic administration on postoperative delirium among older adults undergoing major surgery the engages randomized clinical trial. | Wildes, T. S. Mickle, A. M. Abdallah, A. B. Maybrier, H. R. Oberhaus, J. Budelier, T. P. Kronzer, A. McKinnon, S. L. Park, D. Torres, B. A. Graetz, T. J. Emmert, D. A. Palanca, B. J. Goswami, S. Jordan, K. Lin, N. Fritz, B. A. Stevens, T. W. Jacobsohn, E. | JAMA | 2019 |
NCT02241655 |
| Perioperative Epidural Use and Risk of Delirium in Surgical Patients: A Secondary Analysis of the PODCAST Trial. | Vlisides, P. E. Thompson, A. Kunkler, B. S. Maybrier, H. R. Avidan, M. S. Mashour, G. A. | Anesth Analg | 2019 | |
| Effect of Intravenous Acetaminophen vs Placebo Combined with Propofol or Dexmedetomidine on Postoperative Delirium among Older Patients Following Cardiac Surgery: The DEXACET Randomized Clinical Trial. | Subramaniam, B. Shankar, P. Shaefi, S. Mueller, A. O'Gara, B. Banner-Goodspeed, V. Gallagher, J. Gasangwa, D. Patxot, M. Packiasabapathy, S. Mathur, P. Eikermann, M. Talmor, D. Marcantonio, E. R. | JAMA | 2019 |
NCT02546765 |
| The use of a screening scale improves the recognition of delirium in older patients after cardiac surgery - a retrospective observational study. | Smulter, N. Claesson Lingehall, H. Gustafson, Y. Olofsson, B. Engstrom, K. G. | J Clin Nurs | 2019 |
Assessments scales |
| Incidence and predictors of postoperative delirium in the older acute care surgery population: a prospective study. | Saravana-Bawan, B. Warkentin, L. M. Rucker, D. Carr, F. Churchill, T. A. Khadaroo, R. G. | Canadian Journal of Surgery | 2019 |
aged |
| Association of Duration of Surgery With Postoperative Delirium Among Patients Receiving Hip Fracture Repair. | Ravi, B. Pincus, D. Choi, S. Jenkinson, R. Wasserstein, D. N. Redelmeier, D. A. | JAMA Netw Open | 2019 | |
| Depression Predicts Delirium After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery Independent of Cognitive Impairment and Cerebrovascular Disease: An Analysis of the Neuropsychiatric Outcomes After Heart Surgery Study. | Oldham, M. A. Hawkins, K. A. Lin, I. H. Deng, Y. Hao, Q. Scoutt, L. M. Yuh, D. D. Lee, H. B. | American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry | 2019 |
aged |
| Accuracy of the Delirium Observational Screening Scale (DOS) as a screening tool for delirium in patients with advanced cancer. | Neefjes, E. C. W. van der Vorst, Mjdl Boddaert, M. S. A. Verdegaal, Batt Beeker, A. Teunissen, S. C. C. Beekman, A. T. F. Zuurmond, W. W. A. Berkhof, J. Verheul, H. M. W. | BMC Cancer | 2019 |
Delirium |
| The impact of intravenous isotonic and hypotonic maintenance fluid on the risk of delirium in adult postoperative patients: retrospective before-after observational study. | Nagae, M. Egi, M. Furushima, N. Okada, M. Makino, S. Mizobuchi, S. | J Anesth | 2019 |
Delirium |
| Association between delirium, adverse clinical events and functional outcomes in older patients admitted to rehabilitation settings after a hip fracture: A multicenter retrospective cohort study. | Morandi, A. Mazzone, A. Bernardini, B. Suardi, T. Prina, R. Pozzi, C. Gentile, S. Trabucchi, M. Bellelli, G. | Geriatrics & Gerontology International | 2019 |
aged |
| Handover of anesthesia care is associated with an increased risk of delirium in elderly after major noncardiac surgery: results of a secondary analysis. | Liu, G. Y. Su, X. Meng, Z. T. Cui, F. Li, H. L. Zhu, S. N. Wang, D. X. | J Anesth | 2019 |
Delirium |
| Undiagnosed delirium is frequent and difficult to predict: Results from a prevalence survey of a tertiary hospital. | Lange, P. W. Lamanna, M. Watson, R. Maier, A. B. | J Clin Nurs | 2019 |
Undiagnosed delirium |