Abstract

MARCANO SANZ, Luis Enrique; DIAZ BERTOT, Eliobert; SERRANO RICARDO, Giselle  and  LIMA AGUILERA, Yunior. Bioethical dilemma of postoperative care of pediatric cardiovascular surgery: futility and limitation of life-sustaining treatments. Rev Hum Med [online]. 2011, vol.11, n.2, pp. 246-258. ISSN 1727-8120.

Medical advances, especially in postoperative intensive care, have significantly increased the survival of children, who inevitably used to die in recent years. The decisions on life-sustaining treatments and acceptance of their futility are controversial and cause intellectual and emotional stress in those involve in decision making, particularly in Pediatrics. This paper reflects on bioethical dilemmas present in postoperative care of pediatric cardiovascular surgery, so as to incite discussions and produce concrete recommendations that facilitate clinical decision making.

Keywords : BIOETHICS; MEDICAL FUTILITY; SURGERY DEPARTMENT, HOSPITAL.