Journal
of Pain & Symptom Management, January 2014, vol./is. 47/1(105-22)
Lokker ME, van Zuylen L, van der Rijt CC, van der
Heide A
To
give an overview of the current evidence on the prevalence of death rattle in
dying patients, its impact on patients, relatives, and professional caregivers,
and the effectiveness of interventions. The authors conclude that death
rattle is a common symptom in dying patients, but it is doubtful if
patients suffer from this symptom. Current literature does not support the
standard use of antimuscarinic drugs in the treatment of death rattle.
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