What Is Life Support? Types, Uses & Key Considerations for Families
What Is Life Support?
Life support refers to medical interventions that sustain vital functions when organs fail. It is commonly used for critical illnesses, surgeries, and trauma recovery, helping ensure oxygen, blood, and nutrients circulate when the body can’t function on its own.
Life support isn’t just about keeping someone alive—it provides a chance for recovery when possible. However, when recovery is unlikely, families may need to make difficult decisions about continuing or withdrawing care.
Types of Life Support
1. Mechanical Ventilation (Breathing Support)
When a person’s lungs cannot function properly, a ventilator assists with breathing by delivering oxygen through:
Intubation: A tube inserted through the mouth into the windpipe.
Tracheostomy: A surgically created opening in the neck for long-term ventilation.
Patients are often sedated while on a ventilator to reduce discomfort.
2. Defibrillation (Heart Rhythm Support)
A defibrillator delivers electric shocks to restore normal heart function during cardiac arrest or arrhythmias. It is often used in emergencies following heart attacks or severe heart conditions.
3. Artificial Nutrition (Nutritional Support)
If a patient cannot eat or drink, artificial nutrition provides essential nutrients through:
Feeding Tubes (Enteral Nutrition): A tube placed in the stomach or intestines.
IV Nutrition (Parenteral Nutrition): Direct nutrient delivery into the bloodstream.
This is commonly used for unconscious patients, those on ventilators, or individuals with digestive disorders.
4. Left Ventricular Assist Device (LVAD) (Heart Support)
An LVAD is a mechanical pump that helps a weak heart circulate blood. It is commonly used for heart failure patients awaiting transplants or needing long-term cardiac support.
5. Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) (Heart & Lung Support)
ECMO is an advanced life support system that temporarily replaces heart and lung function by oxygenating blood outside the body. It is used in critical care situations, such as severe respiratory failure or heart failure.
When Is Life Support Started & Stopped?
When Is Life Support Initiated?
Doctors may start life support when a patient experiences:
✔ Severe infections (sepsis)
✔ Organ failure (lungs, heart, kidneys, etc.)
✔ Massive blood loss or trauma
✔ Serious neurological damage
The goal is to stabilize the patient and provide a chance for recovery.
How Long Can Someone Be on Life Support?
The duration of life support varies:
Temporary Support: For surgery recovery, infections, or short-term respiratory failure.
Long-Term Support: For chronic conditions, brain injuries, or ongoing medical needs.
Some patients recover, while others may remain dependent on life support indefinitely.
When Is Life Support Withdrawn?
Life support is withdrawn when there is no chance of recovery, such as when a person has a total loss of brain function or has a terminal condition with no possibility of improvement.
Before making this decision, doctors conduct comprehensive tests to confirm brain function is absent. If life support is removed:
Patients with permanent loss of brain function pass away within minutes.
Patients in a vegetative state may survive longer but eventually succumb.
Advance Directives: Planning for Life Support Decisions
Do Not Resuscitate (DNR) Orders
A DNR order instructs doctors not to perform CPR or other life-saving measures if a patient’s heart stops. It is often chosen by individuals with terminal conditions who prefer a natural death.
Living Wills & Healthcare Directives
A Living Will is a legal document outlining a person’s preferences regarding:
✔ Ventilator support
✔ Artificial nutrition/hydration
✔ End-of-life care decisions
Unlike a DNR, which only applies to resuscitation, a living will provides broader medical instructions. Having these documents ensures your wishes are respected.
Key Takeaways
✔ Life support includes breathing machines, heart pumps, artificial nutrition, and advanced technologies like ECMO.
✔ It can be used temporarily for recovery or long-term for chronic conditions.
✔ Decisions about life support should be guided by medical advice, patient prognosis, and personal healthcare directives.
✔ Advance directives, such as DNR orders and living wills, help ensure end-of-life wishes are honored.
Plan for the Future
Understanding life support helps families make informed, compassionate decisions about care. If you need help with advance care planning, consider speaking with an attorney about creating a living will or healthcare directive.
Contact us today to ensure your healthcare decisions are legally protected.
Disclaimer: This blog is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please consult an attorney for specific legal guidance.