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Review
. 2019 Sep;31(3):453-460.
doi: 10.1016/j.cnc.2019.05.011. Epub 2019 Jun 18.

End-of-Life Care in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Barbara Birriel  1 , Katrina D'Angelo  2
Affiliations
Review

End-of-Life Care in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Barbara Birriel et al. Crit Care Nurs Clin North Am. 2019 Sep.

Abstract

Patients undergoing cardiothoracic surgery face a small but significant mortality risk. Despite this, end-of-life care specific to this population has received little attention. This article examines current literature on end-of-life care in cardiothoracic surgery and in critical care. Recommendations for management at the end of life are made based on the available evidence.

Keywords: Cardiac surgery; Critical care; End of life; Futility; Potentially inappropriate treatment; Thoracic surgery.

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