Long-Term Recovery After Cardiac Critical Illness

Survival from cardiac critical illness is no longer the only measure of clinical success. With advances in resuscitation, mechanical circulatory support, and intensive care management, an increasing proportion of patients survive cardiogenic shock, cardiac arrest, acute cardiopulmonary emergencies, and prolonged cardiac ICU admissions. However, many go on to experience a substantial and lasting burden of physical, cognitive, and psychological impairment, collectively recognized as post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). ICU-acquired weakness, neurocognitive deficits, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remain prevalent among cardiac ICU survivors, frequently compounded by secondary complications such as post-arrest infections, immune dysregulation, and multi-organ injury. Despite these significant challenges, long-term survivorship and recovery trajectories in cardiac critical care populations remain comparatively understudied relative to the general medical ICU literature.This Research Topic aims to bridge acute critical care management with post-discharge survivorship, bringing together cutting-edge translational, clinical, and health-services research across the continuum of cardiac critical illness. We seek to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying post-arrest organ dysfunction and ICU-acquired weakness, optimal strategies for identifying and managing acute complications, and dedicated multidisciplinary care models that foster sustained functional and psychological recovery. Given the expanding utilization of temporary mechanical circulatory support, contributions addressing long-term functional outcomes, quality of life, and rehabilitation pathways in patients supported with veno-arterial (VA) or veno-venous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) are especially encouraged. Furthermore, we actively welcome cross-disciplinary contributions spanning cardiology, critical care medicine, emergency medicine, rehabilitation, and neuropsychology.Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:• Post-intensive care syndrome (PICS): characterization, screening, and management of physical, cognitive, and psychological sequelae in cardiac ICU survivors• ICU-acquired weakness: cellular mechanisms, mitochondrial bioenergetics, diagnostic assessment, and early rehabilitation interventions• Post-cardiac arrest care and complications: diagnostic uncertainty and management of infection, systemic inflammation, and secondary organ injury• Survivorship following mechanical circulatory support: long-term functional recovery, neurocognitive outcomes, and quality of life in VA/VV ECMO survivors• Long-term survival and cardiopulmonary outcomes following VA-ECMO for massive pulmonary embolism• ECMO as a bridge to transplantation: comparison of long-term outcomes between heart and lung transplant recipients• Cardiopulmonary emergencies and survivorship: recovery trajectories after massive pulmonary embolism, refractory cardiogenic shock, and complex resuscitations• Psychological impact and caregiver burden: cognitive dysfunction, PTSD, anxiety, and the emotional and social impact on families and caregivers• Multidisciplinary post-ICU clinics and follow-up models: specialized cardiac survivorship clinics, structured exercise rehabilitation, and peer-support networks• Predictors and biomarkers of long-term recovery: clinical risk scoring, neuroprognostication, and molecular biomarkers of functional recovery after cardiac critical illness Topic editors: Kei Hayashida, Junad Chowdhury Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/86915/long-term-recovery-after-cardiac-critical-illness