％0期刊论文％A纳瓦，S.％A Sturani，C.％A Hartl的，S.％A马尼，G.％A Ciontu，M.％A的Corrado，A.％A西蒙兹，A.％A，％T End-of-life decision-making in respiratory intermediate care units: a European survey %D 2007 %R 10.1183/09031936.00128306 %J European Respiratory Journal %P 156-164 %V 30 %N 1 %X A survey was performed on behalf of the European Respiratory Society to assess end-of-life practices in patients admitted to European respiratory intermediate care units and high dependency units over a 6-month period. A 33-item questionnaire was sent by e-mail to physicians throughout Europe and the response rate was 28 (29.5%) out of 95. A total of 6,008 patients were admitted and an end-of-life decision was taken in 1,292 (21.5%). The mortality rate in these patients was 68% (884 out of 1,292). The patients received similar proportions of withholding of treatment (298 (23%) out of 1292), do-not-resuscitate or do-not-intubate orders (442 (34%) out of 1,292) and noninvasive mechanical ventilation as the ceiling of ventilatory care (402 (31%) out of 1,292). Withdrawal of therapy was employed in 149 (11%) out of 1,292 patients and euthanasia in one. Do-not-intubate/do-not-resuscitate orders were more frequently used in North compared with South Europe. All of the 473 competent patients directly participated in the decision, whereas, in 722 (56%) out of 1,292 cases, decision-making was reported to be shared with the nurses. In European respiratory intermediate care units and high dependency units, an end-of-life decision is taken for 21.5% of patients admitted. Withholding of treatment, do-not-intubate/do-not-resuscitate orders and noninvasive mechanical ventilation as the ventilatory care ceiling are the most common procedures. Competent patients are often involved, together with nurses. %U //www.qdcxjkg.com/content/erj/30/1/156.full.pdf