Next-of-Kin Responses and Do-Not-Resuscitate Implications for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators
Authors: Laura J. Morrison, Christian T. Sinclair
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2005)

Letters19 April 2005Next-of-Kin Responses and Do-Not-Resuscitate Implications for Implantable Cardioverter DefibrillatorsLaura J. Morrison, MD and Christian T. Sinclair, MDLaura J. Morrison, MDFrom Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, and Kansas City Hospice, Kansas City, MO 64114. and Christian T. Sinclair, MDFrom Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, and Kansas City Hospice, Kansas City, MO 64114.Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-142-8-200504190-00022 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:In their article on management of implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) in end-of-life care, Goldstein and colleagues (1) reported low rates of discussion of ICD deactivation and ICD shocks in the last month of life, according to next-of-kin interviews. Although these data largely support our perception, more attention should be paid to the limitations of the methods used. The challenge of study design is well recognized for those studying quality of care at the end of life and quality of death and dying. Since few small studies have been performed in this area, validity and reliability of bereaved ...References1. Goldstein NE, Lampert R, Bradley E, Lynn J, Krumholz HM. Management of implantable cardioverter defibrillators in end-of-life care. Ann Intern Med. 2004;141:835-8. [PMID: 15583224] LinkGoogle Scholar2. Teno J. Measuring outcomes retrospectively. In: National Institutes of Health State-of-the-Science Conference on Improving End-of-Life Care Program and Abstract Book. 6-8 December 2004: 35-37. Available at consensus.nih.gov/ta/024/024EndOfLifepostconfINTRO.htm. Google Scholar3. Morrison LJ, Storey CP. Is it time to turn off the defibrillator? Palliation vs. causing harm vs. usual care. Concurrent Session at the Annual Assembly of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association, 22 January 2004, Phoenix, Arizona. J Palliat Med. 2004;17:151. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: Laura J. Morrison, MD; Christian T. Sinclair, MDAffiliations: From Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, and Kansas City Hospice, Kansas City, MO 64114.Disclosures: None disclosed. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoManagement of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators in End-of-Life Care Nathan E. Goldstein , Rachel Lampert , Elizabeth Bradley , Joanne Lynn , and Harlan M. Krumholz Next-of-Kin Responses and Do-Not-Resuscitate Implications for Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators Nathan E. Goldstein , Rachel Lampert , and Harlan M. Krumholz Metrics Cited byEducational and Psychological Interventions to Improve Outcomes for Recipients of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators and Their FamiliesDeficiencies in Patients' Comprehension of Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator TherapyManaging Cardiac Devices Near the End of Life: A Survey of Hospice and Palliative Care ProvidersUnderstanding ethical issues, ICD, and DNR orders: An obstacle to imminent death?Palliative Care and Hospice in Advanced Heart Failure 19 April 2005Volume 142, Issue 8Page: 676-677KeywordsDo not resuscitate ordersForecastingHealth care qualityImplantable cardioverter defibrillatorsPerceptionProspective studiesQuality of lifeReproducibilityRetrospective studiesShock ePublished: 19 April 2005 Issue Published: 19 April 2005 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2005 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...