title: [Continuous sedation: practical and ethical aspects].
abstract: Continuous sedation is an acknowledged medical practice in the management of refractory symptoms at the end of life. Guidelines and recommendations have been proposed in palliative care. This paper presents the state-of-the-art (definitions, indications, technical aspects) on continuous sedation followed by an ethical reflection essentially based on the "double effect" principle, on the impact on life expectancy and the assimilation of continuous sedation as a "natural death". Distinction between continuous sedation and legal euthanasia is clarified.
authors.affiliation: Service de Médecine interne, Unité aiguë de Soins supportifs, Institut Jules Bordet, Bruxelles. dominique.lossignol@bordet.be
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Lossignol
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Damas
mesh_terms: D016292:Procedural Sedation / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods*; D004351:Drug Resistance / Q000502:physiology; D005065:Euthanasia / Q000941:ethics; D006801:Humans; D007260:Infusion Pumps; D008017:Life Expectancy; D010166:Palliative Care / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods*; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods*