Abstract

AMAYA-VANEGAS, Sandra Viviana  and  GOMEZESE-RIBERO, Ómar Fernando. Palliative extubation: obstacles, challenges and solutions. Rev. colomb. anestesiol. [online]. 2021, vol.49, n.4, e303.  Epub Aug 25, 2021. ISSN 0120-3347.  https://doi.org/10.5554/22562087.e986.

Life support withdrawal can be a challenging decision, but it should be considered as an option when death is inevitable or recovery to an acceptable quality of life is not possible. The process is beset by obstacles that must be overcome to finally offer patients comfort and a peaceful death.

In this article, we offer a series of tools that seek to solve the challenges of palliative extubation, as well as a protocol that could facilitate the decision to withdraw life support, making palliative extubation an alternative to consider instead of artificially prolonging life at the expense of unacceptable human and economic costs.

Keywords : Palliative care; Hospice care; Airway extubation; Life support care; Right to die.

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