Post-Intensive Care Syndrome: A Syndrome of Long-Term Impairments Following ICU Discharge

By Harriet Alsop

EMS300 Student Conference 2026

Summary

Harriet Alsop's presentation discusses cellular senescence in critical care as a potential intervention to improve long-term outcomes for ICU survivors. It highlights post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), characterised by cognitive, psychological, and physical impairments, and explores the underlying mechanisms, including accelerated biological aging and the role of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). The presentation proposes that targeting cellular senescence could be measurable and treatable, suggesting a paradigm shift in critical care practices. Key findings include the potential for biomarkers and imaging to assess senescence and the implications for clinical translation.