Inmedicine,dysthanasia occurs when a person who is dying has their biological life extended through technological means without regard to the person'squality of life.[1] The term dysthanasia means "bad death" (from theGreek language: δυσ,dus; "bad", "difficult" + θάνατος,thanatos; "death")[2] and is considered by some to be a common fault ofmodern medicine.[3] Technologies such as animplantable cardioverter defibrillator,[4]artificial ventilation,ventricular assist devices, andextracorporeal membrane oxygenation can extend the dying process. In some cases,cardiopulmonary resuscitation can be considered a form of dysthanasia.[5][6]
