Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026

Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE) with Target Controlled Infusion (TCI) and Bispectral Analysis in Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Published on: December 6, 2016
Continuous sedation (CS) until death: mapping the literature by bibliometric analysis.
Evangelia Papavasiliou1, Sheila Payne, Sarah Brearley
1International Observatory on End-of-Life Care, Lancaster University, Lancaster, United Kingdom. e.papavasiliou@lancaster.ac.uk
This bibliometric analysis reveals a growing body of research on continuous sedation until death. The study highlights key journals and countries contributing to the scientific literature on end-of-life sedation practices.
Area of Science:
- Medical Ethics
- Palliative Care
- Health Sciences
Background:
- Continuous sedation until death is a debated practice with limited understanding of its publication trends.
- This study addresses the knowledge gap regarding the characteristics and evolution of scientific literature in this field.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a bibliometric analysis of scientific publications on continuous sedation until death.
- To identify trends, key journals, and leading countries in the research landscape.
Main Methods:
- Bibliometric analysis of 273 publications from 1945-2011.
- Searched four databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, Embase, and PsycINFO®.
- Analyzed publication types, disciplines, journals, and country of origin.
Main Results:
- Scientific publications on continuous sedation until death show an increasing trend since the early 1990s.
- Research is published across diverse disciplines and journals, with the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management being prominent.
- The UK and US lead in publication quantity, while Japan and The Netherlands lead in research article productivity.
Conclusions:
- This bibliometric analysis provides a foundation for future research on continuous sedation until death.
- Further investigation is recommended to address terminology, ethical considerations, and the conditions/modalities of its use.
Related Concept Videos
Stages of General Anesthesia
Sedatives and Hypnotics: Overview
Sedative-hypnotics are categorized into barbiturates, benzodiazepines (BZDs), and non-benzodiazepines or Z-drugs. These drugs work by suppressing central nervous system activity, and this suppression is dose-dependent. Older sedative medications, like barbiturates, follow a linear curve in...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Barbiturates
CNS Depressants: Barbiturates and Benzodiazepines
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Miscellaneous Agents
Melatonin congeners like ramelteon (Rozerem) and tasimelteon (Hetlioz) selectively bind to melatonin receptors (MT1 and MT2) and thus mimic the actions of melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Tasimelteon is primarily used for non-24-hour sleep-wake disorder, common in blind patients. They are also used to treat conditions like insomnia...
Sedatives and Hypnotics Drugs: Benzodiazepines
Benzodiazepines work by enhancing the effects of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA. They bind to the GABAA receptor, increasing its affinity for GABA, which opens chloride...
