Palliative extubation: bioethical reflections on end-of-life care

Abstract

Palliative extubation: bioethical reflections on end-of-life care Palliative care is part of a set of approaches aimed at increasing the quality of life, in the face of an incurable and potentially life-threatening disease. In this scenario, among the therapies for critically ill patients, palliative extubation is implemented when all possibilities of weaning from mechanical ventilation have failed, as an alternative to avoid prolonging life at any cost. Despite the limited number of publication on the subject, important debates have emerged in the biomedical, ethical, religious and legal fields, bringing new reflections on the theme. In Brazil, the procedure still faces many obstacles, which make the subject an inspiring field for the bioethical debate.