| The ethics of pacemaker deactivation in terminally ill patients. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 21621131 Owner: NLM Status: In-Data-Review |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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A core principle of American medical ethics holds that an informed and capacitated patient has the right to have treatments withdrawn or withheld. Nevertheless, many clinicians remain reluctant to honor a request to deactivate a patient's pacemaker. This article describes a case in which a patient was denied her request for pacemaker deactivation. Several reasons for this reluctance are discussed, including historical, practical, and ethical considerations for opposing pacemaker deactivation. Ultimately, however, from an ethical standpoint, pacemaker deactivation is similar to withdrawal of other therapies. Fortunately, a recent expert consensus statement supports a patient's right to have her pacemaker deactivated. Pacemaker deactivation should only be performed after robust informed consent, which must include discussion of risks, benefits, and all viable alternatives based on the patient's values and goals. |
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Authors:
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Michael B Bevins |
Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Journal of pain and symptom management Volume: 41 ISSN: 1873-6513 ISO Abbreviation: J Pain Symptom Manage Publication Date: 2011 Jun |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2011-05-30 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 8605836 Medline TA: J Pain Symptom Manage Country: United States |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 1106-10 Citation Subset: IM |
Copyright Information:
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Copyright © 2011 U.S. Cancer Pain Relief Committee. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. |
Affiliation:
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Central Texas Palliative Care Associates, Hospice Austin, Austin, Texas, USA. |
Export Citation:
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From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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