To explore research hotspots and trends in post-ICU syndrome in the world and provide guidance and theoretical basis for the future research.

CiteSpace scientific knowledge map was used to analyze literatures retrieved from the Web of Science core collection database from 2000 to 2022 in post-ICU syndrome.

A total of 2643 papers related to post-ICU syndrome were included, in terms of number of articles, the top 3 countries were USA, UK and Canada; the top 3 research institutions were Johns Hopkins University, Vanderbilt University, University of Toronto; the top 3 authors were Dale M. Needham, Ramona O. Hopkins, E. Wesley Ely. Keyword with strongest bursts including quality of life, severe sepsis, critical ill patient, acute renal failure, prolonged mechanical ventilation, survivors. Literature co-citation and cluster analysis resulted in 13 clusters that focused on the well-prevalent population of post-ICU syndrome, such as patients with acute kidney injury, acute lung injury, multi-organ failure, or septic shock, and on clinical symptom, such as ICU-acquired weakness, psychiatric symptoms, and frailty. According to analysis of top cited literature, research hotspots focused on epidemiology characteristics about outcome and quality of life in survivors of ARDS and shock patients, on depression, on post-traumatic stress disorder, and on concept of post-ICU syndrome and preventive strategies.

The epidemiology characteristics and long-term outcome of PICS in survivors of critical illnesses, the characteristics of long-term trajectory of PICS, assessment of long-term quality of life and preventive strategies of PICS are hotspots and future directions in international research.