Terminálne chrčanie. Liečiť, či neliečiť? // SOLEN

Paliatívna medicína a liečba bolesti 1-2e/2024

The death rattle. To treat or not to treat?

In the article, I deal with a frequent symptom that accompanies the dying process, the death rattle. During true death rattle, there is an accumulation of secretions, especially saliva in the upper airways, when the patient‘s state of consciousness is deteriorating and swallow and cough reflexes are weakened. While death rattle may not be uncomfortable for the patient, it is stressful for the patient‘s loved ones and those, who care for the patient. In the treatment of death rattle, anticholinergics are traditionally used in palliative medicine. Is their use necessary and evidence based? I tried to find the answers to the questions in the article.

Keywords: the death rattle, anticholinergics, scopolamine buthylbromide