Withdrawal of mechanical ventilation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients: a multicenter Italian survey

Background Law 219/2017 was approved in Italy in December 2017, after a years-long debate on the autonomy of healthcare choices.

This Law, for the first time in Italian legislation, guarantees the patient’s right to request for withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments, including mechanical ventilation (MV).

Objective To investigate the current status of MV withdrawal in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in Italy and to assess the impact of Law 219/2017 on this practice.

Methods We conducted a Web-based survey, addressed to Italian neurologists with expertise in ALS care, and members of the Motor Neuron Disease Study Group of the Italian Society of Neurology.

Results Out of 40 ALS Italian centers, 34 (85.0%) responded to the survey.

Law 219/2017 was followed by an increasing trend in MV withdrawals, and a significant increase of neurologists involved in this procedure ( p 0.004).

However, variations across Italian ALS centers were observed, regarding the inconsistent involvement of community health services and palliative care (PC) services, and the intervention and composition of the multidisciplinary team.

Conclusions Law 219/2017 has had a positive impact on the practice of MV withdrawal in ALS patients in Italy.

The recent growing public attention on end-of-life care choices, along with the cultural and social changes in Italy, requires further regulatory frameworks that strengthen tools for self-determination, increased investment of resources in community and PC health services, and practical recommendations and guidelines for health workers involved.