Journal of internal medicine
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There is an ongoing debate about patients' involvement in the decision of whether or not to start, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the case of cardiac arrest. The objective here is to analyse on what grounds patients with heart failure, who run a relatively high risk of suffering cardiac arrest, form their attitudes towards CPR and to what extent they want to be involved in making decisions concerning CPR. ⋯ In order to make ethically justified decisions, physicians should consider bringing up the question of CPR with patients suffering from heart failure at the point in time where the progressive disease gives rise to more severe symptoms, corresponding to NYHA classes IIIb-IV. In earlier stages of the disease, one can assume that the patient will opt for CPR unless he or she demonstrates a negative attitude towards life.