This incidence and clinical presentation was confirmed in a study of 23 patients in the United Kingdom one year later. Importantly, in this latter study, among those patients requiring the longest ICU stay, weakness was the primary contributing factor to the need for ICU care. Thus, polyneuropathy with weakness can contribute significantly to the duration of ICU care required for patients. The proposed mechanism for polyneuropathy is speculation at this time. The speculation, however, is based on the current hypothesis of organ system failure in sepsis.
Sepsis is characterized by disturbed microcirculation.
In peripheral nerves, this disturbed microcirculation may lead to energy depletion and subsequent axonal degeneration. Sepsis is also characterized by increased capillary permeability which is most dramatically seen in the lungs with Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. Potentially, this increased permeability could contribute to increased concentration of toxins in the perineural space leading to axonal injury. We are limited in treating polyneuropathy of critical to supportive care only. All rights reserved.