Article Text
Summary
Severely decompensated cirrhosis presents major challenges in terms of balancing the benefits and burdens of life-extending treatment. Using accounts and interviews with a patient, her mother, consultant hepatologists and a consultant intensivist, this article explores the decision making around a 43-year-old woman with alcoholic liver disease who died after 100 days in a hospital. Particular focus is given to decisions on escalation, recognition of futility, distress associated with therapy and how messages given during end-of-life discussions are processed. Without suggesting that the case is an example of ideal practice, the importance of frequent multidisciplinary discussion, clinical re-evaluation and continuity of care is emphasised.
- Alcoholic liver disease
- Cirrhosis
- Portal hypertension
- Adult intensive care
- End-of-life decisions (palliative care)
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Footnotes
Contributors PB conceived the article and is responsible for the final version. KC, HL and MP contributed sections and reviewed draft versions.
Competing interests None declared.
Patient consent Consent obtained from next of kin.
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.