ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Evolution of triglyceride and total cholesterol levels after critical illness: Preliminary insights into post-ICU metabolic sequelae
Authors' conclusion
Three months after ICU discharge, lipid recovery in survivors appears incomplete. While total cholesterol levels tend to normalize, HTG emerges in approximately 20% of the patients as an underrecognized metabolic sequela of critical illness.
Study context
- Population
- ICU survivors attending the 3-month post-ICU consultation with total cholesterol, triglyceride and C-reactive protein (CRP) measurements
- Participants
- 188 survivors
- Outcome
- Changes in total cholesterol and triglyceride levels
- Follow-up
- 3 months after ICU discharge
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
HTG (triglycerides >210 mg/dL, non-fasting) · M3
- Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) at M3
- 42 (22.3%)
- Median triglycerides in HTG patients at M3, mg/dL
- 250 [223-329]
- De novo HTG among HTG patients
- 69%
- Correlation of HTG with CRP
- rs = 0.15, p = 0.025
- Hypocholesterolemia at M3
- 23 (12.2%)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Lipid abnormalities vs muscle strength or readmissions
- No significant associations
Lipid levels at M3 vs during and before ICU (subgroup with pre-admission measurements)
- Total cholesterol higher at M3 than during or before ICU
- P < 0.0001
- Triglycerides higher at M3 than before ICU admission
- P = 0.019
- Subgroup of 49 patients
Original publication
Evolution of triglyceride and total cholesterol levels after critical illness: Preliminary insights into post-ICU metabolic sequelae. J Crit Care. Published 18 February 2026. doi:10.
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