Nutrition and Hydration at the End of Life in Intensive Care and General End-of-Life Care Settings: Balancing Clinical Evidence, Patient-Centered Care, and Ethical and Legal Principles-A Narrative Review.

ABSTRACT: Background/Objectives: Nutrition at the end of life raises many dilemmas. "End of life" refers to the period associated with a progressive incurable disease, with a life expectancy of less than six months, and limited curative treatments. In intensive care units (ICUs), decisions about artificial nutrition and hydration (clinically assisted nutrition and hydration, CANH) are especially complex because patient goals shift from survival to comfort. Nutrition and hydration are often requested by patients and their families, even when clinical benefits are uncertain. This article aims to provide a multidimensional analysis of the pathophysiological, clinical, ethical and legal considerations of nutritional support in the final stages of life. Methods: We conducted a narrative rev

SUBMITTER: Stoian M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12693952 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature