When and How Should Physicians Determine the Need for Palliative and Hospice Care for Patients With End-Stage Liver Disease?: An Experience in Taiwan
Journal
American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
Journal Volume
31
Journal Issue
4
Pages
454-458
Date Issued
2014
Author(s)
Abstract
We analyzed one case of end-stage liver disease and discussed whether the palliative care should be considered for this case. The medical record of a 56-year-old woman with alcoholic liver cirrhosis admitted to our hospital due to hypovolemic shock and esophageal varices (EV) was reviewed. The EV with active bleeding were arrested by panendoscopic intervention. However, repeat surgery revealed transmural laceration over the cardia, and immediate surgery and splenectomy were needed. The patient died postoperatively in the surgical intensive care unit due to bleeding tendency and hypovolemic shock. We suggest that palliative care and/or hospice care should have been considered for this patient before the crisis developed and that physicians require education about timely palliative and hospice care for patients with end-stage nonmalignant disease. ? The Author(s) 2013.
Subjects
chronic liver disease
chronic renal disease
end-stage disease
hospice care
palliative care
surgery
SDGs
Other Subjects
case report; complication; end stage liver disease; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; esophagoscopy; fatality; female; hospice care; human; middle aged; palliative therapy; shock; Taiwan; End Stage Liver Disease; Esophageal and Gastric Varices; Esophagoscopy; Fatal Outcome; Female; Hospice Care; Humans; Middle Aged; Palliative Care; Shock; Taiwan
Publisher
SAGE Publications Inc.
Type
journal article