Cuidados paliativos en el ictus agudo. Revisión

PC applied to acute stroke is similar to PC applied to other diseases. The needs of patients focus on symptomatic relief (dyspnea, respiratory secretions, pain, agitation), but they presented as differentiating factors a lower perception of imminent death by the family, doubts about the prognosis of patients, coexistence of potentially curative treatment and high mortality, existence of communication problems and conflicts on nutrition and other ethical considerations. Tools for easy sreening usually include severity of stroke and age. The management of PC sometimes lies on specific teams but also on professionals who work in the stroke unit with special concern about this approach. An accepted approach implements the theoretical framework of the tradicional palliative care in potentially curable patients.