Tuyển tập các báo cáo nghiên cứu về y học được đăng trên tạp chí y học Critical Care giúp cho các bạn có thêm kiến thức về ngành y học đề tài: End-of-life decisions in Greek intensive care units: a multicenter cohort study. | Kranidiotis et al. Critical Care 2010 14 R228 http content 14 6 R228 KS CRITICAL CARE RESEARCH Open Access End-of-life decisions in Greek intensive care units a multicenter cohort study 1 1 2 1 3 4 Georgios Kranidiotis Vasiliki Gerovasili Athanasios Tasoulis Elli Tripodaki loannis Vasileiadis Eleni Magira sỉcililzi l i rlz2Izi 1 r k iriefin Dr ll ifci1 Drol Tỉtoc4 Tk iCir ir Ir irr ic Yx r irN fir ll 15 Dl-1 Ilic-i NfN f - ii i 2-í ir iI Htỉc3 vasiliki Maikaki Christina Routsi Atiianasios Piekates Iiieodoios Kypiianou Phyllis Maiia Clouva Molyvdas rt I Z S r Z S I -J I i 6 I z V . U . 1f El LZ f 7 A U Z J V r 14 IT I II r 8 E LZ Pl 1-V I r 1 Georgios Georgiadis loannis Floros Andreas Karaoinis Serafim Nanas Abstract Introduction Intensive care may prolong the dying process in patients who have been unresponsive to the treatment already provided. Limitation of life-sustaining therapy by either withholding or withdrawing support is an ethically acceptable and common worldwide practice. The purpose of the present study was to examine the frequency types and rationale of limiting life support in Greek intensive care units ICUs the clinical and demographic parameters associated with it and the participation of relatives in decision making. Methods This was a prospective observational study conducted in eight Greek multidisciplinary ICUs. We studied all consecutive ICU patients who died excluding those who stayed in the ICU less than 48 hours or were brain dead. Results Three hundred six patients composed the study population with a mean age of 64 years and a mean APACHE II score on admission of 21. Of study patients 41 received full support including unsuccessful cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR 48 died after withholding of CPR 8 after withholding of other treatment modalities besides CPR and 3 after withdrawal of treatment. Patients in whom therapy was limited had a longer ICU P and hospital P length of stay a lower Glasgow Coma Scale score GCS .
