Why opioids and sedatives may prolong life rather than hasten death after ventilator withdrawal in critically ill patients

J Bakker; Tim Jansen; Alexandre Pinto Lima; Erwin Kompanje

doi:10.1177/1049909108315511

Why opioids and sedatives may prolong life rather than hasten death after ventilator withdrawal in critically ill patients

J Bakker, Tim Jansen, Alexandre Pinto Lima, Erwin Kompanje

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The process of death in patients in whom cardiorespiratory Support is withdrawn is related to the occurrence of tissue hypoxia that results from an imbalance between the demand for oxygen and the delivery of oxygen to the organs. Limiting the demand for oxygen may thus delay the occurrence Of tissue hypoxia. Because the. demand for oxygen increases significantly after ventilator withdrawal and because sedatives and opioids are known to decrease the demand for oxygen in patients with cardiorespiratory distress, these agents might thus actually prolong life rather than hasten death.

Original language	Undefined/Unknown
Pages (from-to)	152-154
Number of pages	3
Journal	American Journal of Hospice & Palliative Medicine
Volume	25
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1177/1049909108315511
Publication status	Published - 2008

Research programs

EMC COEUR-01-43-01

Access to Document

10.1177/1049909108315511

http://hdl.handle.net/1765/30080

Cite this

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abstract = "The process of death in patients in whom cardiorespiratory Support is withdrawn is related to the occurrence of tissue hypoxia that results from an imbalance between the demand for oxygen and the delivery of oxygen to the organs. Limiting the demand for oxygen may thus delay the occurrence Of tissue hypoxia. Because the. demand for oxygen increases significantly after ventilator withdrawal and because sedatives and opioids are known to decrease the demand for oxygen in patients with cardiorespiratory distress, these agents might thus actually prolong life rather than hasten death.",

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AB - The process of death in patients in whom cardiorespiratory Support is withdrawn is related to the occurrence of tissue hypoxia that results from an imbalance between the demand for oxygen and the delivery of oxygen to the organs. Limiting the demand for oxygen may thus delay the occurrence Of tissue hypoxia. Because the. demand for oxygen increases significantly after ventilator withdrawal and because sedatives and opioids are known to decrease the demand for oxygen in patients with cardiorespiratory distress, these agents might thus actually prolong life rather than hasten death.

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