Illusions and 'delusions' in cardiac surgical patients after prolonged intensive care unit stay

Introduction: A follow up after discharge from intensive care unit (ICU) [1] revealed that vivid ‘dreams’ occur in 32% of patients. Although it is questionable whether these are dreams in the true sense, there is no doubting their impact on the sufferer, as has been described by anecdotal and published accounts [2]. Aetiological factors are unknown. We undertook a study of a relatively homogeneous population who had undergone cardiac surgery in order to identify the incidence of ‘dreams’, to identify possibly causative factors and to inquire into the ongoing effects the ‘dreams’ have had.