Revista Colombiana de Anestesiología

Given the poor results derived from cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR), some decadesago, so-called do not resuscitate orders were established. These include unilateral med-ical decisions taken in extreme situations when the survival rate or recuperation of thepatient is considered nil. Currently, and given the development of individual guarantiesand their adoption in clinical practice, do not resuscitate orders are understood as agree-mentsbetweenphysiciansandpatients(ortheirlegalrepresentatives)tonotundertakeCPRin the case of cardiac arrest. The definition of the clinical practice limits has slowly beenaccepted in view of the subsequent results in individuals’ lives. However, the compatibilityof these decisions – considered restrictive – on patients who will be treated under anesthe-sia is not yet clear. The purpose of this article is to present a conceptual framework for thisdilemma and to provide answers to the formulation, consequences, and implications of donot resuscitate orders in the perianesthesia period.© 2016 Sociedad Colombiana de Anestesiologia y Reanimacion. Published by ElsevierEspana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.