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Is There Any Hope For Recovery?
I am health care proxy (and friend..) to a man (late 70's) who has ARDS, congestive heart failure, and liver failure due to alcohol abuse. He has been intubated and sedated for over a week. I signed a DNR order and he seems to be in a state of limbo at the moment. Hard question to ask, and answer, I'm sure, but how long can he last and what is next? Will I need to decide, as his HCP, to remove the ventilator? Doctors with years of experience are not hopeful for recovery, but residents new to the ICU seem to think there's hope. I'm pretty confused... Thanks.
Mon, 5 May 2014
Hi...Thanks for your query. Sad to say that based on symptoms & clinical profile described by you; chances of successful revival appear slim at present. His chances of recovery will mainly depend upon nature & extent of ARDS, degree of damage to lungs due to ARDS & current lung function; how much oxygen is being supplied by ventilator & whether his lungs are responding to reduced oxygen inflow by ventilator etc. Secondly nature & extent of liver damage will prove to be determinant of his survival & overall health in long run. Do consult your doctors before taking any major step as human body is dynamic system with moment to moment changes occurring in it. Good Luck
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