Newswise — Modern medical devices such as implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) have demonstrated a tremendous ability to prevent sudden death in patients with diseases such as congestive heart failure. But ultimately, death comes to us all. What happens when the machine doesn't know when to quit?
"As beneficial as ICDs are, there comes a time to shut them off," says Rodney Tucker, M.D., of UAB's Center for Palliative Care. "An ICD firing as a person slides into a dignified death can create unwarranted stress, grief and anxiety in both the individual and his or her families." Tucker says more discussion about when or if to disable such devices is needed between families and physicians.
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