Paroxysmal autonomic instability with dystonia (PAID) appears to be a unique syndrome following brain injury. It can echo many life-threatening conditions, making its early recognition and management a challenge for intensivists. A delay in early recognition and subsequent management may result in increased morbidity, which is preventable in affected patients. Herein, we report the case of a patient who was diagnosed with PAID syndrome following prolonged cardiac arrest, and discuss the pathophysiology, clinical presentation and management of this rare and under-recognised clinical entity.
Adult ; Anxiety ; complications ; Autonomic Nervous System Diseases ; etiology ; Brain Injuries ; etiology ; Critical Care ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dystonia ; etiology ; Heart Arrest ; complications ; Humans ; Hypoxia ; Male ; Respiration Disorders ; complications ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome