Efficacy and safety of deep, continuous palliative sedation at home: a retrospective, single-institution study.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study is to evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of palliative sedation at home (PSH) to approach refractory symptoms in dying cancer patients.


METHODS
Charts of 121 patients, observed by "L'Aquila per la Vita" Home Care Unit, from August 2006 to May 2008, were reviewed. Sixteen patients out of 44 who died at home (36.4%) were sedated. Indication for sedation was agitated delirium in 13 patients and dyspnea in three patients. A multistep midazolam-based protocol was administered.


RESULTS
In all patients, a deep, prolonged, continuous sedation was obtained. No treatment-related complications were registered.


CONCLUSIONS
A midazolam-based protocol for PSH is feasible and effective. Our results need to be confirmed by prospective, multicentric, controlled studies.
Porzio
Giampiero
G
"L'Aquila per la Vita" Home Care Service, L'Aquila, Italy. terapiesupportoaq@interfree.it
Aielli
Federica
F
Verna
Lucilla
L
Micolucci
Giovanna
G
Aloisi
Paolo
P
Ficorella
Corrado
C