Decisions to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining therapies in patients with and without acute brain injury: a secondary analysis of two prospective cohort studies

IF 38.7 1区医学 Q1 CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE Lancet Respiratory Medicine Pub Date : 2025-03-17 DOI:10.1016/s2213-2600(24)00404-1

Shaurya Taran, Kuan Liu, Victoria A McCredie, Oscar Penuelas, Karen E A Burns, Fernando Frutos-Vivar, Damon C Scales, Niall D Ferguson, Jeffrey M Singh, Armaan K Malhotra, Neill K J Adhikari

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Abstract

Background

Many deaths in the intensive care unit (ICU) occur after a decision to withdraw or withhold life-sustaining therapies (WLSTs). We aimed to explore the differences in the incidence and timing of WLST between patients with and without acute brain injuries (ABIs).

Methods

We did a secondary analysis of two prospective, international studies that recruited patients who were invasively or non-invasively ventilated between 2004 and 2016 from 40 countries. ABI was defined as brain trauma, ischaemic stroke, intracranial haemorrhage, seizures, or meningitis–encephalitis. The comparator group included non-ABI conditions. Time to WLST was evaluated by use of cumulative incidence curves. Differences in WLST were analysed by use of multilevel logistic regression.

Findings

Between March 11, 2004, and Dec 17, 2016, we recruited 21 970 patients (16 791 in the WLST analysis), of whom 13 526 (61·6%) were male and 8444 (38·4%) were female and 2896 (13·2%) had ABI. WLST occurred in 2056 (12·2%) of 16 791 patients) and was more common in patients with ABI versus without (372 [17·0%] of 2191 vs 1684 [11·5%] of 14 600; risk difference 5·5%; 95% CI 3·8–7·1; odds ratio [OR] 2·42; 1·89–3·12). WLST decisions occurred earlier in patients with ABI versus patients without ABI (median, 4 days [IQR 2–9] versus 6 days [2–13] after ICU admission; absolute difference, 2 days; 95% CI 1–3). Findings were similar across different ABI subgroups, world regions, and cohort years. Variability among ICUs in WLST decisions for patients with ABI and patients without ABI was high (respectively, median OR, 3·04; 95% CI 2·54–3·67, and median OR 2·59; 2·38–2·78).

Interpretation

Our findings suggest that WLST decisions are significantly more common in patients with ABI versus patients without ABI and occur earlier in this group. The rationale for early WLST following ABI warrants further exploration, accounting for additional neurological factors that were not available in the present analysis.

Funding

Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

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来源期刊

Lancet Respiratory Medicine RESPIRATORY SYSTEM-RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

CiteScore

87.10

自引率

0.70%

发文量

572

期刊介绍： The Lancet Respiratory Medicine is a renowned journal specializing in respiratory medicine and critical care. Our publication features original research that aims to advocate for change or shed light on clinical practices in the field. Additionally, we provide informative reviews on various topics related to respiratory medicine and critical care, ensuring a comprehensive coverage of the subject. The journal covers a wide range of topics including but not limited to asthma, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), tobacco control, intensive care medicine, lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, pneumonia, sarcoidosis, sepsis, mesothelioma, sleep medicine, thoracic and reconstructive surgery, tuberculosis, palliative medicine, influenza, pulmonary hypertension, pulmonary vascular disease, and respiratory infections. By encompassing such a broad spectrum of subjects, we strive to address the diverse needs and interests of our readership.