Expert: Margot RN BScN CGN - 6/19/2006

Question
My brother-in-law is 30 years old. He has been on life support for 2 weeks with ARDS. His liver is failing and as of today, his kidneys have failed (NO urine output in 24 hours. Renal failure confirmed by his doctors). His blood presure today was 70/20 and his heart rate is 112.

How long can a person survive like this? Or is death imminent (as in hours?). We all know he is dying, he has a health care proxy and living will and DNR orders.

Thank you for any information.

Answer
Hello Christina,

Each person's death is different, most people with the symptoms you described will pass away within 72 hours - although some can go in a matter of hours and others can linger for weeks, it depends on many factors including age, disease, medications, previous health, etc.

I hope this answers your question, my thoughts are with you.

Margot