artificial life support definition of artificial life support in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

artificial life support, systems that use medical technology to aid, support, or replace a vital function of the body that has been seriously damaged. Such techniques include artificial pacemakers pacemaker, artificial, device used to stimulate a rhythmic heartbeat by means of electrical impulses. Implanted in the body when the heart's own electrical conduction system (natural pacemaker) does not function normally, the battery-powered device emits impulses
..... Click the link for more information. , internal defibrillators defibrillator, device that delivers an electrical shock to the heart in order to stop certain forms of rapid heart rhythm disturbances ( arrhythmias ). The shock changes a fibrillation to an organized rhythm or changes a very rapid and ineffective cardiac rhythm to a
..... Click the link for more information. , dialysis machines (see kidney, artificial kidney, artificial, mechanical device capable of assuming the functions ordinarily performed by the kidneys. In treating cases of kidney failure a tube is inserted into an artery in the patient's arm and blood is channeled through semipermeable tubes immersed in a
..... Click the link for more information. ), and respirators. The use of life-support systems to prolong the life of a patient who has suffered apparently irreversible damage to a vital organ system may raise such ethical issues as the quality of life, euthanasia euthanasia (y
..... Click the link for more information. , and the right to die, and has been the subject of much legal and moral debate. Some people specify their wishes concerning prolonged artificial life support, especially should they be in a persistent vegetative state (see coma persistent vegetative state was coined in 1972 to describe an unconscious state in which sleep and wake cycles remain and eyes may open, but there is no thinking, feeling, or awareness of one's surroundings (although one may react reflexive to certain stimulations).
..... Click the link for more information. ), in a living will living will, legal document in which a person expresses in advance his or her wishes concerning the use of artificial life support , to be referred to should the person be unable to communicate such wishes at the end of life.
..... Click the link for more information. . A health-care proxy health-care proxy, legal document in which a person assigns to another person, usually called an agent or proxy, the authority to make medical decisions in case of incapacitation. It is, in essence, a power of attorney for health care.
..... Click the link for more information. is another legal means of insuring that a person's wishes regarding artificial life support are respected, even if the person is unable to communicate those wishes.