COPD is independently associated with 6‐month survival in patients who have life support withheld in intensive care

Abstract

A total of 58.8% of patients for whom life-sustaining therapies were withheld in the ICU survived for at least 6 months after discharge. Patients with COPD appeared to have a significantly higher survival rate. The decision to withhold life support in patients should not lead to a cessation of post-ICU care and to non-readmission of COPD patients.