Search results for "Death rattle"
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How do cancer patients receiving palliative care at home die? A descriptive study
2011
Abstract Context Data regarding the circumstances of the process of death of terminally ill patients followed at home are lacking. Objectives The aim of this study was to describe the characteristics and assess the circumstances of the process of death of terminally ill patients followed at home. Methods This was a prospective survey to assess the dying process of advanced cancer patients followed at home. Within a week after death, the principal caregiver was interviewed. Information from the palliative home care team and the caregiver about expectation of death, time of death, professional and nonprofessional people present at time of death, emergency admission to hospital, and administra…
Refractory Death Rattle: Deep Aspiration Facilitates the Effects of Antisecretory Agents
2011
Anticholinergic drugs, including atropine, hyoscine butylbromide, and scopolamine, have been shown to be equally effective in the treatment of death rattle. However, anticholinergic drugs may only be effective in reducing the production of further secretions, rather than eliminating the existing ones. A case is described in which a preventive procedure was undertaken to carefully eliminate secretions before starting anticholinergic drugs. Airway aspiration under light anesthesia removed secretions before starting anticholinergic drugs. Low doses of propofol were given intravenously to make a laryngoscopy feasible, allowing the complete aspiration of large amounts of tracheal secretions. No …