Adrenal Insufficiency in the Intensive Care Setting

Abstract

In the intensive care setting, the question of adrenal insufficiency arises most frequently in patients whose endogenous adrenal function may be suppressed by pre ceding glucocorticoid therapy or in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Less often the question arises in patients whose adrenal tissue may have been destroyed by autoimmune disease, tuber culosis, meningococcal or other infection, hemorrhage, or replacement by malignancy, or in patients whose adrenal function has been suppressed by certain drugs. Measurements of plasma adrenocorticotrophic hor mone (ACTH), cortisol, aldosterone, and renin levels and the response of cortisol and aldosterone to exoge nously administered ACTH form the basis for clinically evaluating the adequacy of a patient's adrenal function. The naturally occurring glucocorticoid, hydrocortisone, remains the cornerstone of adrenal replacement therapy along with appropriate fluid and electrolyte administra tion. In rare instances the addition of a mineralocor ticoid is necessary. A brief review of the use of mega- dose glucocorticoids in the treatment of sepsis, shock, and the adult respiratory distress syndrome is included.