Abstract

CALDERON FLOREZ, Viviana; MACHADO-DUQUE, Manuel E  and  MACHADO-ALBA, Jorge E. Sedation at the end of life. CES Med. [online]. 2016, vol.30, n.1, pp.46-54. ISSN 0120-8705.

Life expectancy has increased; consequently, the incidence of chronic illness has risen. Oncologic patients may present in their final days of life severe symptoms refractory to treatment, such as delirium, dyspnea, psychological stress and existential suffering. Sedation at the end of life is a strategy for the relief of those symptoms, highlighting that the intention is not to shorten life. We describe a pharmacological strategy for end-of-life sedation, along with ethics and legal aspects.

Keywords : Terminal care; Palliative care; Euthanasia; Neoplasm; Deep sedation.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in English     · English ( pdf )