Allison Clemens
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2025 PACUPrep BCCCP Preparatory Course Management of Secretions (Death Rattle) Supportive Care and Complication Monitoring in Death Rattle Management

Lesson 86, Topic 4

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Supportive Care and Complication Monitoring in Death Rattle Management

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Learning Objectives

Recommend appropriate supportive care and monitoring to manage complications associated with death rattle and its treatment.

Identify indications for and key considerations of supportive care measures.
Propose strategies to prevent common ICU-related complications.
Describe management of iatrogenic complications like drug-induced delirium.
Discuss the role of multidisciplinary goals of care conversations.

1. Respiratory Support

In late-stage secretions, impaired airway clearance may compromise gas exchange and comfort. Interventions range from noninvasive airway clearance to consideration of mechanical ventilation based on goals of care.

1.1 Indications for Mechanical Ventilation in End-of-Life Care

Refractory hypoxemia (PaO₂/FiO₂ < 150)
Hypercapnia (PaCO₂ > 60 mm Hg with pH < 7.25)
Failure of airway protection (risk of aspiration)
Excessive work of breathing unrelieved by noninvasive measures

Ventilation Pearls

Use lung-protective settings (VT 4–8 mL/kg predicted body weight; plateau < 30 cm H₂O).
Balance potential life-prolongation vs. sedation burden and ventilator-associated injury.
Clarify comfort vs. curative intent in shared decision-making before intubation.

1.2 Non-invasive Airway Clearance and Suctioning

Yankauer or flexible suction for nonintubated patients; limit frequency to minimize mucosal trauma.
Closed inline suction for intubated patients preserves PEEP and reduces derecruitment.
Nebulized normal saline (3–5 mL) may soften secretions; avoid routine use in unresponsive patients.

Suctioning Pearls

Closed suction maintains oxygenation; open suction risks atelectasis.
Overzealous suctioning can trigger bradycardia and mucosal injury.

1.3 Positioning for Secretion Drainage

Semi-Fowler (30°–45° head up) enhances drainage, reduces aspiration.
Lateral decubitus encourages gravitational clearance of pooled secretions.
Reposition every 2 hours to prevent pressure injuries and improve V/Q matching.

Positioning Pearl

Prone positioning is not routinely indicated absent ARDS and may conflict with comfort goals.

2. Hemodynamic Support

Hemodynamic instability in patients with death rattle may result from sepsis, hypovolemia, or cardiogenic factors. Vasopressors and inotropes should be tailored to underlying physiology and overall care goals.

2.1 Vasopressor and Inotrope Selection

Common Hemodynamic Support Agents
Agent	Typical Dose	Indication & Notes
Norepinephrine	0.01–0.1 µg/kg/min	First-line vasopressor to maintain MAP ≥ 65 mm Hg. Titrate to effect.
Vasopressin	0.03 U/min (fixed)	Adjunct to reduce catecholamine requirements in refractory shock.
Dobutamine	2–20 µg/kg/min	For low cardiac output with adequate blood pressure. Monitor for arrhythmias.

Hemodynamic Pearls

Employ dynamic preload indices (SVV, PPV) to guide fluid vs. vasopressor decisions.
Avoid excessive vasopressor doses that risk peripheral and mesenteric ischemia.

2.2 Monitoring Parameters

Continuous arterial pressure waveform for real-time MAP tracking.
Hourly urine output goal > 0.5 mL/kg/h.
Serial lactate; aim for ≥ 10% clearance every 2 hours as a perfusion surrogate.
Bedside cardiac ultrasound to assess ventricular filling and function.

Monitoring Pearls

Lactate targets derive from sepsis data; individualize in end-of-life contexts.
Integrate multimodal monitoring to avoid fluid overload or under-resuscitation.

3. Prevention of ICU-Related Complications

Reduced mobility, device use, and physiologic stress expose patients to VTE, stress ulcers, and nosocomial infections. Prophylaxis and early detection are essential.

3.1 VTE Prophylaxis

Pharmacologic: Enoxaparin 40 mg SC once daily is standard. Dose adjust for obesity or renal impairment (e.g., 30 mg q12h for CrCl < 30 mL/min).
Mechanical: Use intermittent pneumatic compression devices if anticoagulation is contraindicated (e.g., active bleeding, platelets < 50 × 10³/µL).
Monitoring: Consider anti-Xa monitoring in extremes of weight or renal dysfunction.

VTE Prophylaxis Pearl

Combined mechanical and pharmacologic prophylaxis is not clearly superior to pharmacologic prophylaxis alone in most patients.

3.2 Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis

Indications: Coagulopathy (INR > 1.5, platelets < 50 × 10³/µL), mechanical ventilation > 48 hours, or significant head/spinal injury.
Agents: Pantoprazole 40 mg IV daily or an H2-receptor antagonist.
De-escalation: Discontinue when risk factors resolve to minimize risk of pneumonia and C. difficile.

Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis Pearl

Universal prophylaxis increases infection risk without a clear survival benefit in low-risk patients.

3.3 Infection Prevention and Stewardship

Ventilator Bundle: HOB elevation 30–45°, daily sedation vacation, oral care with chlorhexidine.
Central-line Bundle: Maximal barrier precautions, chlorhexidine dressings.
Stewardship: Daily antibiotic review; de-escalate based on culture results and procalcitonin trends.

Infection Prevention Pearl

Interdisciplinary rounds accelerate device removal and antibiotic optimization. Monitor for antibiotic-associated complications (e.g., C. difficile).

4. Management of Iatrogenic Complications

Treatments for secretion control and critical illness support may precipitate delirium, renal, and hepatic dysfunction. Proactive monitoring and dose adjustments are crucial to mitigate harm.

4.1 Drug-Induced Delirium

Use routine CAM-ICU assessments for early detection.
Minimize benzodiazepines; prefer dexmedetomidine (0.2–1 µg/kg/h) for sedation when needed.
Provide orientation cues and nonpharmacologic reorientation strategies.

Delirium Pearl

Dexmedetomidine reduces delirium duration and preserves respiratory drive compared to benzodiazepines.

4.2 Acute Kidney Injury & Hepatic Dysfunction

Monitor daily serum creatinine and urine output; avoid nephrotoxins and hypotensive episodes.
Monitor AST/ALT, bilirubin, and INR; adjust hepatically cleared drugs accordingly.

Organ Dysfunction Pearl

Renal replacement therapy alters clearance of hydrophilic drugs; adjust dosing and monitor anti-Xa for LMWH.

4.3 Dose Adjustments in Multiorgan Failure

Renal Impairment: Reduce or hold enoxaparin; use anti-Xa to guide dosing.
Hepatic Impairment: Extend dosing intervals for lipophilic agents; watch for accumulation.

Dosing Pearl

Collaborate with nephrology and pharmacy for individualized regimens. Multidisciplinary input ensures safe therapy in complex organ failure.

5. Multidisciplinary Goals of Care Conversations

Aligning interventions with patient and family preferences requires structured communication and clear documentation across the care team.

5.1 Shared Decision-Making Frameworks

Structured communication models like the SPIKES protocol facilitate difficult conversations. Early engagement of palliative care, nursing, and respiratory therapy is essential to clarify patient values and goals.

Figure 1: The SPIKES Protocol. A framework for conducting goals of care conversations, ensuring a patient-centered and empathetic approach.

Communication Pearl

Document advance directives and code status in a visible, standardized location within the electronic health record to ensure all team members are aware of the patient’s wishes.

5.2 Documentation & Care Coordination

Conduct daily care huddles to ensure team alignment.
Use electronic care pathways for transparency and consistency.
Clearly record DNR orders, limits on interventions, and summaries of family discussions.

Coordination Pearl

Consistent communication across shifts and disciplines reduces unwanted practice variability and ensures patient goals are respected at all times.

References

Fan E, Del Sorbo L, Goligher EC, et al. Mechanical Ventilation in Adult Patients with ARDS. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2017;195(9):1253–1263.
Kumar A, et al. ISCCM Guidelines for Hemodynamic Monitoring in the Critically Ill. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2022;26(1):1–20.
Moons L, De Roo ML, Deschodt M, Oldenburger E. Death rattle: current experiences and non-pharmacological management—a narrative review. Ann Palliat Med. 2024;13(1):150–161.
Heisler M, Hamilton G, Abbott A, et al. Randomized trial of sublingual atropine vs placebo for death rattle. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2013;45(1):14–22.
van Esch HJ, van Zuylen L, Geijteman ECT, et al. Prophylactic scopolamine butylbromide on death rattle: SILENCE trial. JAMA. 2021;326(12):1268–1276.
Lokker ME, van Zuylen L, van der Rijt CCD, et al. Prevalence, impact, and treatment of death rattle: systematic review. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2014;47(1):105–122.
Bradley K, Wee B, Aoun S. Management of death rattle: influences on palliative care decision making. Prog Palliat Care. 2010;18(5):270–274.
Yokomichi N, Morita T, Yamaguchi T. Hydration volume and death rattle in abdominal cancer. J Palliat Med. 2022;25(1):130–134.
Zhuang Q, Yang GM, Neo SH, et al. Validity and reliability of RDOS for dyspnea in palliative care. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2019;57(2):304–310.
Schweickert WD, Kress JP. Guideline Update: Early Mobilization Advised for All ICU Patients. Pulm Crit Care Med. 2025.
Bennett MI, Lucas V, Brennan M, et al. Using antimuscarinic drugs in the management of death rattle: guidelines. Palliat Med. 2002;15(5):369–374.

2025 PACUPrep BCCCP Preparatory Course

Pulmonary

Participants 432

Supportive Care and Complication Monitoring in Death Rattle Management

Supportive Care and Complication Monitoring in Death Rattle Management

Learning Objectives

1. Respiratory Support

1.1 Indications for Mechanical Ventilation in End-of-Life Care

1.2 Non-invasive Airway Clearance and Suctioning

1.3 Positioning for Secretion Drainage

2. Hemodynamic Support

2.1 Vasopressor and Inotrope Selection

2.2 Monitoring Parameters

3. Prevention of ICU-Related Complications

3.1 VTE Prophylaxis

3.2 Stress Ulcer Prophylaxis

3.3 Infection Prevention and Stewardship

4. Management of Iatrogenic Complications

4.1 Drug-Induced Delirium

4.2 Acute Kidney Injury & Hepatic Dysfunction

4.3 Dose Adjustments in Multiorgan Failure

5. Multidisciplinary Goals of Care Conversations

5.1 Shared Decision-Making Frameworks

5.2 Documentation & Care Coordination

References