Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion in End-of-Life Patients: When and How?

• Autor(a) principal: Morna, Carolina
• Data de Publicação: 2022
• Outros Autores: Rodrigues, Rui, Neto, Isabel Galriça
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: por
• Título da fonte: Repositório Científico de Acesso Aberto de Portugal (Repositórios Cientìficos)
• Texto Completo: https://doi.org/10.25756/rpf.v14i1.293

Patients at end-of-life stage frequently develop a high burden of uncontrolled symptoms and, therefore, require a specialized multidisciplinary approach. The ultimate goal of pharmacological interventions in these patients is symptomatic control with comfort promotion. In this setting, the subcutaneous route acquires particular importance as a therapeutic option for patients in which oral route is unavailable or ineffective. Continuous subcutaneous infusions are an important therapeutic weapon to obtain a rapid symptomatic control or to overcome symptoms not controlled by optimized bolus therapy. They can be implemented in an inpatient or outpatient setting, using small devices, and its utilization has been increasing in palliative care. However, specific guidelines for its use in daily practice are scarce, so it should be reserved for experienced and properly trained professionals. This article aims to review and systematize the utilization of continuous subcutaneous infusions, in order to promote greater uniformity of practices and quality of care.