Abstract

MONTEIRO, Filipe. Mechanical ventilation and medical futility or dysthanasia, the dialectic of high technology in intensive medicine. Rev Port Pneumol [online]. 2006, vol.12, n.3, pp.281-291. ISSN 0873-2159.

Dysthanasia or any of its synonyms is a consequence of excessive technical science, without any reasonable chance of achieving a therapeutic benefit for the patient.  Medical futility is a distressing ethical dilemma of intensive care medicine. Its recognition has led to a precept support in various institutions and organizations. Not withdrawing or withholding mechanical ventilation in certain circumstances can be considered as a paradigmatic model of medical futility. The understanding of this posture implies a philosophical approach and reflexion of medical practice.

Keywords : Ethics; medical futility; dysthanasia; intensive medicine.

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