ICU sedation, delirium & recovery
Limitation of life-sustaining therapies in critically ill patients with COVID-19: a descriptive epidemiological investigation from the COVID-ICU study
Authors' conclusion
In this study, LST limitations frequently preceded death, with a major impact on time of death. In contrast to ICU load, older age, frailty, and the severity of respiratory failure during the first 24 h were the main factors associated with decisions of LST limitations.
Study context
- Population
- Severe COVID-19 patients admitted to ICU from February 25 to May 4, 2020
- Participants
- 4,671 patients · 163 intensive care units (ICUs)
- Outcome
- Prevalence of in-ICU limitations of life-sustaining therapies (LST)
Methodological details163 ICUs in France, Belgium and Switzerland, mixed effects logistic regression
- 163 ICUs in France, Belgium and Switzerland
- Mixed effects logistic regression
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
In-ICU LST limitations
- Prevalence of in-ICU LST limitations
- 14.5%
- Variability between centres
- nearly six-fold
- 28-day cumulative incidence of LST limitations
- 12.4%
- Median time to LST limitations, days
- 8 (3-21)
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
ICU load at patient level
- Median ICU load
- 126%
Factors associated with LST limitations
- Age, clinical frailty scale score and respiratory severity associated with LST limitations; ICU load not
Outcome after LST limitations
- In-ICU death after LST withholding
- 74%
- In-ICU death after LST withdrawal
- 95%
- Median survival after LST limitations, days
- 3 (1-11)
Original publication
Limitation of life-sustaining therapies in critically ill patients with COVID-19: a descriptive epidemiological investigation from the COVID-ICU study. Crit Care. Published 11 March 2023. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →