PSYCHIATRIC COMPLICATIONS IN THE CRITICALLY ILL CARDIAC PATIENT

Psychiatric consultation to the critically ill cardiac patient focuses on several common problems: anxiety, delirium, depression, personalit y reactions, and behavioral disturbances. A review of the causes and t reatment of anxiety in the coronary care unit is followed by a discuss ion of delirium in the critically ill cardiac patient. A description o f delirium associated with the use of the intraaortic balloon pump and its treatment with high doses of intravenous haloperidol is also incl uded. After the initial crisis has been stabilized in the critical car e unit, the premorbid personality traits of the patient may emerge as behavioral disturbances-particularly as the duration of stay increases . The use of psychiatric consultation completes the discussion.