[The decision to withhold and withdraw active treatments, an ethical approach]

Abstract

Intensive care medicine is confronted with situations of suffering and dependence experienced as the appropriation of the body or medical futility. In this context, withholding and withdrawing active intensive care must be given a framework. The ethical challenge is to decide to continue or not with care considered vain or futile. The "Leonetti Law", in particular, helps to clarify the situation for professionals and families.

Keywords: care; ethics; intensive care; limitation et arrêt des thérapeutiques actives; réanimation; soin; withholding and withdrawing active treatments; éthique.