abstract and podcast: Palliative Sedation in End-of-Life Care and Survival: A Systematic Review [Palliative and Supportive Care] (unbearable suffering)

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Palliative Sedation in End-of-Life Care and Survival: A Systematic Review [Palliative and Supportive Care]:

Purpose
Palliative sedation is a clinical procedure aimed at relieving refractory symptoms in patients with advanced cancer. It has been suggested that sedative drugs may shorten life, but few studies exist comparing the survival of sedated and nonsedated patients. We present a systematic review of literature on the clinical practice of palliative sedation to assess the effect, if any, on survival.

 Conclusion
Even if there is no direct evidence from randomized clinical trials, palliative sedation, when appropriately indicated and correctly used to relieve unbearable suffering, does not seem to have any detrimental effect on survival of patients with terminal cancer. In this setting, palliative sedation is a medical intervention that must be considered as part of a continuum of palliative care.
  
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Sedation for the Management of Refractory Suffering
by Nathan Cherny


(Download file - duration 0:10:41, file size 9.80 MB)
This podcast presenter indicated no conflicts of interest.