European Resuscitation Council guidelines for resuscitation 2005. Section 8. The ethics of resuscitation and end-of-life decisions.

uccessful resuscitation attempts have brought xtended, useful and precious life to many, and appiness and relief to their relatives and loved nes. And yet, there are occasions when resuscitaion attempts have merely prolonged suffering and he process of dying. In few cases resuscitation has esulted in the ultimate tragedy—–the patient in a ersistent vegetative state. Resuscitation attempts re unsuccessful in 70—95% of cases and death ultiately is inevitable. All would wish to die with ignity. Several ethical decisions are required to ensure hat the decisions to attempt or withhold cardiopulonary resuscitation (CPR) are appropriate, and hat patients and their loved ones are treated with ignity. These decisions may be influenced by indiidual, international and local cultural, legal, traitional, religious, social and economic factors.1—10 ometimes the decisions can be made in advance, This section of the guidelines deals with ethical aspects and decisions, including