# End-of-Life Care of a Patient With Pontine Stroke and Prolonged Hospitalization: A Case Report

## TL;DR

This case report discusses the ethical challenges of end-of-life care for a patient with a severe stroke and no clinical improvement.

## Contribution

The paper presents a unique case highlighting prolonged hospitalization and ventilator use in stroke care.

## Key findings

- The patient required multiple end-of-life discussions due to poor prognosis.
- Prolonged hospitalization occurred despite no clinical improvement.
- Ethical principles were central in managing the patient's care.

## Abstract

Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in the United States that can lead to loss of function and consciousness. With the abrupt onset of the brain insult, end-of-life care discussions are an important attribute of respecting the patient’s best wishes and upholding the ethical principles of autonomy, beneficence, nonmaleficence, fidelity, and justice. Furthermore, the topic of extending life support to individuals with poor prognostic factors of improvement in quality of life and functional recovery has been a continued topic of debate due to a multitude of factors, including the wishes of the patient, familial emotions, cultural beliefs, and religious influences. This case involves a patient who suffered from a left pontine stroke, necessitating multiple end-of-life care conversations. Despite no clinical improvement for several years, the patient required prolonged hospitalization and ongoing ventilator use.