Medications for patient comfort when weaning mechanical ventilation in palliative care.
Indications for mechanical ventilation in end of life care and the place for weaning are discussed. Preferred medications to facilitate weaning are short acting benzodiazepines. The importance of the environment in which ventilatory support is provided is discussed as are ethical issues including patient wishes and those of a patient' s proxy.
Fine
Perry G
PG
School of Medicine, and Pain Management Center, University of Utah Health Sciences Center, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA. fine@aros.net
D001569:Benzodiazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001675:Bioethics; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012121:Respiration, Artificial; D015300:Ventilator Weaning / Q000379:methods*
D001569:Benzodiazepines