Role of Pediatric Palliative Care in German-Speaking Centers for Heart Transplantation.

This article discusses the role of pediatric palliative care (PPC) in German-speaking centers for heart transplantation. The study surveyed 12 centers for pediatric cardiology and found that the majority of nurses and physicians reported the availability of palliative care, with some even offering specialized pediatric palliative care. However, the consultation of PPC was mainly for end-of-life matters rather than as part of a holistic treatment plan. Nurses favored the consultation of PPC specialists, possibly due to an ethical dilemma between caring and curing. The study suggests that early integration of PPC in the trajectory of the disease could benefit pediatric cardiac patients with severe defects and compromised organ functions. [Extracted from the article]