In medicine, dysthanasia means "bad death" (from the Greek language: δυσ, dus; "bad, difficult" + θάνατος, thanatos; "death") [1] and is considered a common fault of modern medicine. [2] Dysthanasia occurs when a person who is dying has their biological life extended through technological means without regard to the person's quality of life. [3] Technologies such as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, [4] artificial ventilation, ventricular assist devices, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can extend the dying process. In some cases, cardiopulmonary resuscitation can be considered a form of dysthanasia. [5] [6]
In medicine, dysthanasia means "bad death" (from the Greek language: δυσ, dus; "bad, difficult" + θάνατος, thanatos; "death") [1] and is considered a common fault of modern medicine. [2] Dysthanasia occurs when a person who is dying has their biological life extended through technological means without regard to the person's quality of life. [3] Technologies such as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator, [4] artificial ventilation, ventricular assist devices, and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can extend the dying process. In some cases, cardiopulmonary resuscitation can be considered a form of dysthanasia. [5] [6]