Should It Be Called "Suicide" or "Withdrawal of LVAD Support"?

Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have become the standard of care for patients with end-stage heart failure refractory to conventional therapy to improve their survival and quality of life.1 But when LVAD therapy no longer meets their treatment-related preferences, goals, and values, patients may request withdrawal of LVAD support. Especially when patients are not acutely ill and they are medically stable, this request raises ethical concerns among clinicians. Prior research has shown that some clinicians (13%) perceive turning off an LVAD is the same as physician-assisted suicide or euthanasia.
Source: Journal of Pain and Symptom Management - Category: Palliative Care Authors: Tags: Letter Source Type: research