Heart transplantation without informed consent: discussion of a case.
OBJECTIVE
To discuss informed consent to heart transplantation in the case of an intensive care unit (ICU) patient: relatives' informed consent was refused by the patient himself whose cognitive ability appeared to be reasonable for the purpose.


METHODS
ICU of a university teaching hospital.


METHODS
A 62-year-old man who underwent myocardial revascularization had in the immediate post-operative hemodynamic instability, continuous serious arrhythmias, ventilatory support, fentanyl infusion. Heart transplantation could be the only chance for his survival. INVENTION: Heart transplantation.


RESULTS
Despite patient's refusal, we decided to hold the relative's consent as valid, and transplantation was accordingly performed, to the subsequent satisfaction of the patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Our decision was based on two beliefs: (1) the severity of the patient's clinical condition may have impaired his cognitive abilities; (2) the very same conditions may mask impairment and certainly make reliable assessment of cognition and judgment impossible. This being so, the preservation of life assumes priority.
Grande
A M
AM
Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.
Rinaldi
M
M
Goggi
C
C
Politi
P
P
Viganò
M
M
D002303:Cardiac Output, Low / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000009:adverse effects; D003422:Critical Care; D004992:Ethics, Medical; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D016027:Heart Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D016743:Mental Competency; D008875:Middle Aged; D010819:Physician's Role; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D016312:Treatment Refusal