45% of patients who died shortly after life support was withdrawn survived within six months, and over 30% recovered enough for some independence in daily activities.
Mathematical models suggest a more cautious approach is needed when making decisions on withdrawing life support after traumatic brain injuries.
New studies question early decisions to withdraw life support for traumatic brain injury patients.
Researchers found that at least 50% of younger patients with fewer health conditions and less severe injuries regained some independence when given more time.
In a series of studies, researchers from Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and other institutions have challenged the current practice of making early decisions on withdrawing life support for patients with severe traumatic brain injuries. The studies suggest that some patients who were believed to be unlikely to recover may have survived and regained some level of independence if given more time.
According to the studies, published in the Journal of Neurotrauma, among younger patients with fewer health conditions and less severe injuries, at least 50% regained some independence. However, current guidelines for making decisions on life support withdrawal are usually made within 72 hours of hospitalization.
The researchers found that some patients who died soon after life support was withdrawn may have survived and recovered if given more time. For instance, a study of 80 people who died shortly after the withdrawal of life support found that 45% survived within six months, and over 30% recovered enough for some independence in daily activities.
The studies also used mathematical models to estimate the likelihood of recovery based on demographics, socioeconomic factors, injury characteristics, and life-sustaining treatment. The findings suggest that a more cautious approach is needed when making decisions on withdrawing life support after traumatic brain injuries.
These studies challenge the current practice of making early decisions on withdrawing life support for patients with severe traumatic brain injuries. They highlight the need for more data and a more nuanced approach to decision-making in critical care settings.
Study suggests some patients with brain injuries who died after life support was withdrawn may have survived and recovered some level of independence six months after injury
Of the 80 people who died soon after life support was withdrawn, 45% survived within six months, and more than 30% recovered enough for some independence in daily activities
Accuracy
Of the 80 people who died soon after life support was withdrawn, 45% survived within six months, and more than 30% recovered enough for some independence in daily activities.
Researchers found that some patients for whom life support was withdrawn may have survived and recovered some independence a few months after injury.
Deception
(80%)
The article contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author focuses on a specific study that suggests some patients with brain injuries who died after life support was withdrawn may have survived and even recovered some level of independence six months after injury. However, the author fails to mention that only 4 out of the 25 patients who survived were able to recover fully, and more than half of the patients (31 out of 56) who stayed on life support died within six months. The author also uses emotional language such as 'heart-wrenching position' and 'hazy insights' to manipulate the reader's emotions. Furthermore, the article implies that recovery is common after a serious brain injury, but it does not provide enough information to back up this claim.
The data revealed that 31 of the 56 brain trauma patients who stayed on life support died within six months; and 45 percent survived. Of the 25 patients who survived, more than 30 percent recovered enough in that same six-month period to have at least some independence in daily activities.
Of course, we’ll never know what could have happened had the machines stayed on, but based on follow-up data of those in a similar, heart-wrenching position, we can glean some hazy insights.
Some patients for whom life support was withdrawn may have survived and recovered some independence a few months after injury.
Currently, no medical guidelines determine which patients with severe traumatic brain injury are likely to recover.
Researchers found that some patients for whom life support was withdrawn may have survived and recovered some independence a few months after injury.
Accuracy
Of the 80 people who died soon after life support was withdrawn, 45% survived within six months, and more than 30% recovered enough for some independence in daily activities.
Nearly 30% of matched patients made a meaningful recovery within six months.
Study suggests waiting longer before deciding to withdraw life support after traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Among younger patients with fewer health conditions and less severe injuries, at least 50% regained some independence
Decisions on whether to end life support are usually made within 72 hours of hospitalization but new findings suggest waiting longer may be beneficial
Accuracy
Researchers followed about half of the enrolled patients for a year and found that nearly 30% of matched patients made a meaningful recovery within six months
Deception
(80%)
The article makes several statements that could be considered selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author quotes Dr. Yelena Bodien making statements about the uncertainty of recovery after traumatic brain injuries and the potential benefits of waiting longer before making life support decisions. However, she does not mention that close to 60% of patients whose life support was withdrawn would likely have died anyway, nor does she provide any context about the overall mortality rate for patients with traumatic brain injuries. This selective reporting could give readers a false sense of hope and manipulate their emotions. Additionally, the author uses phrases like 'meaningful recovery' and 'return to normal life' which are subjective and could be interpreted differently by different people.
Among younger patients with fewer health conditions and less severe injuries, at least 50% regained some independence.
To learn more about those potential recovery pathways, Bodien and her colleagues enrolled close to 3,100 patients with TBI across 18 trauma centers in the U.S. between 2014 and 2021.
