Book ReviewEthics of Withdrawal of Life-Support Systems: Case studies on decision making in intensive care Life-Sustaining Treatment: Making decisions and appointing a health care agent

1988 ◽  
Vol 319 (7) ◽  
pp. 451-452
Author(s):  
Michael F. Epstein
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Life Support Systems ◽  
Life Sustaining Treatment ◽  
Health Care Agent

scholarly journals ECCO2R as a bridge to a decision in type II respiratory failure

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-106
Author(s):  
Lina Grauslytė ◽  
Gonzalo De La Cerda ◽  
Tomas Jovaiša
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
End Of Life ◽  
Lung Transplant ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Extracorporeal Life Support ◽  
Life Support Systems ◽  
End Of Life Decisions

Introduction. End-of-life decisions are often time consuming and difficult for everyone involved. In some of these cases extracorporeal life support systems could potentially be used not only as a bridge to treatment but as a tool to buy time to allow patient’s participation in decision making and to avoid further futile invasive procedures. Case report. A previously healthy 53-year-old female patient presented with respiratory failure of unknown cause. In the course of treatment her condition was deemed irreversible and the only option for any chance of long-term survival was a lung transplant. During this whole time the patient’s condition was managed with extracorporeal carbon dioxide removal system (ECCO2R). She remained compos mentis and expressed the wish to stop all the treatment as the option of lung transplant was not acceptable to her. Treatment was withdrawn and she passed away. Discussion. In cases of end-of-life decisions, time can play an essential role. Even though extracorporeal life support systems have been conceptualised to be a bridge to treatment, they could be beneficial in a situation when time is needed to make a decision. ECCO2R has been used as a treatment method in different settings, however, in this case it served as a tool to maintain the patient alive and conscious for a sufficient time for her to participate in decision making. Conclusions. Our case report demonstrated that ECCO2R could serve as a bridge to decision in situations when time is limited and the decisions that need to be made are difficult.

Life Support Systems in Intensive Care

1985 ◽  
Vol 60 (5) ◽  
pp. 355-356
Author(s):  
John C. McMichan ◽  
Rolf D. Hubmayr
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Life Support Systems

Life Support Systems in Intensive Care

1985 ◽  
Vol 150 (3) ◽  
pp. A30-A30
Author(s):  
Thomas G. Rainey
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Life Support Systems

scholarly journals Life Support Systems in Intensive Care: A Review of History, Ethics, Cost, Benefit and Rational Use

1977 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. D. Phillips
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Life Support ◽  
Support Systems ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Organ Support ◽  
Life Support Systems ◽  
Ethical Problems ◽  
Rational Use ◽  
Care Situation

This paper outlines the development of life support systems, i.e. artificial support systems for failing essential organs such as heart, lungs, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. The current status of organ support is discussed, particularly in relation to intensive care units. Ethical problems posed by the availability of these systems are presented, cost and cost/benefit ratios are discussed, and proposals are made for the rational use of life support systems in the intensive care situation.

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