Chest
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Predictors of time to death after terminal withdrawal of mechanical ventilation in the ICU.
Little information exists about the expected time to death after terminal withdrawal of mechanical ventilation. We sought to determine the independent predictors of time to death after withdrawal of mechanical ventilation. ⋯ Time to death after withdrawal of mechanical ventilation varies widely, yet the majority of patients die within 24 hours. Subsequent validation of these predictors may help to inform family counseling at the end of life.