Confronted With Death: Factors Affecting End of Life Decisions in the Intensive Care Unit

Syed Sabih ul Hassan, Wajid Ali, Hamza Khan, Ahsan Raza Raja, Murtuza Hassan, Ghazal Haque, Farwa Ayub, Muhammad Atif Waqar, Asad Latif

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

To determine how often care is limited at the end of life and the factors that are associated with this decision, we reviewed the medical records of all patients that passed away in the intensive care units (ICU) of Aga Khan University. We found that a majority of patients had Do-Not-Resuscitate orders in place at the time of death. Our analysis yielded 6 variables that were associated with the decision to limit care. These are patient age, sex, duration of mechanical ventilation, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) ≤8 at any point during ICU stay, GCS ≤8 in the first 24 hours following ICU admission, and mean arterial pressure <65 mm of Hg while on vasopressors in the first 24 hours following ICU admission. These variables require further study and should be carefully considered during end of life discussions to allow for optimal management at the end of life.

Original languageEnglish
JournalOmega: Journal of Death and Dying
DOIs
Publication statusAccepted/In press - 2023

Keywords

  • decision making
  • end of life
  • intensive care
  • withdrawing treatment
  • withholding treatment

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