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Mazzu MA, Campbell ML, Schwartzstein RM, White DB, Mitchell SL, Fehnel CR. Evidence Guiding Withdrawal of Mechanical Ventilation at the End of Life: A Review. J Pain Symptom Manage 2023; 66:e399-e426. [PMID: 37244527 PMCID: PMC10527530 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.05.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Distress at the end of life in the intensive care unit (ICU) is common. We reviewed the evidence guiding symptom assessment, withdrawal of mechanical ventilation (WMV) process, support for the ICU team, and symptom management among adults, and specifically older adults, at end of life in the ICU. SETTING AND DESIGN Systematic search of published literature (January 1990-December 2021) pertaining to WMV at end of life among adults in the ICU setting using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. PARTICIPANTS Adults (age 18 and over) undergoing WMV in the ICU. MEASUREMENTS Study quality was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS Out of 574 articles screened, 130 underwent full text review, and 74 were reviewed and assessed for quality. The highest quality studies pertained to use of validated symptom scales during WMV. Studies of the WMV process itself were generally lower quality. Support for the ICU team best occurs via structured communication and social supports. Dyspnea is the most distressing symptom, and while high quality evidence supports the use of opiates, there is limited evidence to guide implementation of their use for specific patients. CONCLUSION High quality studies support some practices in palliative WMV, while gaps in evidence remain for the WMV process, supporting the ICU team, and medical management of distress. Future studies should rigorously compare WMV processes and symptom management to reduce distress at end of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria A Mazzu
- University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine (M.A.M.), Biddeford, Maine, USA
| | | | - Richard M Schwartzstein
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.M.S., S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School (R.M.S., S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Douglas B White
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine (D.B.W.), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Susan L Mitchell
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.M.S., S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School (R.M.S., S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Hebrew SeniorLife, Marcus Institute for Aging Research (S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Corey R Fehnel
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (R.M.S., S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Harvard Medical School (R.M.S., S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Hebrew SeniorLife, Marcus Institute for Aging Research (S.L.M., C.R.F.), Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
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Predicting Time to Death After Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Measures Using Vital Sign Variability: Derivation and Validation. Crit Care Explor 2022; 4:e0675. [PMID: 35415612 PMCID: PMC8994079 DOI: 10.1097/cce.0000000000000675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
To develop a predictive model using vital sign (heart rate and arterial blood pressure) variability to predict time to death after withdrawal of life-supporting measures.
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Hastening Death in Canadian ICUs: End-of-Life Care in the Era of Medical Assistance in Dying. Crit Care Med 2021; 50:742-749. [PMID: 34605780 DOI: 10.1097/ccm.0000000000005359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Since 2016, Canada has allowed for euthanasia based on strict criteria under federal medical assistance in dying legislation. The purpose of this study was to determine how Canadian intensivists perceive medical assistance in dying and whether they believe their approach to withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies has changed following introduction of medical assistance in dying. DESIGN Electronic survey. SETTING Participants were recruited from 11 PICU programs and 14 adult ICU programs across Canada. All program leaders for whom contact information was available were approached for participation. PARTICIPANTS We invited intensivists and critical care trainees employed between December 2019 and May 2020 to participate using a snowball sampling technique in which department leaders distributed study information. All responses were anonymous. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Categorical variables were analyzed using Pearson chi-square test. INTERVENTIONS Not applicable. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS We obtained 150 complete questionnaires (33% response rate), of which 50% were adult practitioners and 50% pediatric. Most were from academic centers (81%, n = 121). Of respondents, 86% (n = 130) were familiar with medical assistance in dying legislation, 71% in favor, 14% conflicted, and 11% opposed. Only 5% (n = 8) thought it had influenced their approach to withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies. Half of participants had no standardized protocol for withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies in their unit, and 41% (n = 62) had observed medications given in disproportionately high doses during withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies, with 13% having personally administered such doses. Most (80%, n = 120) had experienced explicit requests from families to hasten death, and almost half (47%, n = 70) believed it was ethically permissible to intentionally hasten death following withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies. CONCLUSIONS Most Canadian intensivists surveyed do not think that medical assistance in dying has changed their approach to end of life in the ICU. A significant minority are ethically conflicted about the current approach to assisted dying/euthanasia in Canada. Almost half believe it is ethical to intentionally hasten death during withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies if death is expected.
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Healey A, Hartwick M, Downar J, Keenan S, Lalani J, Mohr J, Appleby A, Spring J, Delaney JW, Wilson LC, Shemie S. Improving quality of withdrawal of life-sustaining measures in organ donation: a framework and implementation toolkit. Can J Anaesth 2020; 67:1549-1556. [PMID: 32918249 PMCID: PMC7546981 DOI: 10.1007/s12630-020-01774-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2019] [Revised: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/14/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Donation after circulatory determination of death (DCD) is responsible for the largest increase in deceased donation over the past decade. When the Canadian DCD guideline was published in 2006, it included recommendations to create standard policies and procedures for withdrawal of life-sustaining measures (WLSM) as well as quality assurance frameworks for this practice. In 2016, the Canadian Critical Care Society produced a guideline for WLSM that requires modifications to facilitate implementation when DCD is part of the end-of-life care plan. METHODS A pan-Canadian multidisciplinary collaborative was convened to examine the existing guideline framework and to create tools to put the existing guideline into practice in centres that practice DCD. RESULTS A set of guiding principles for implementation of the guideline in DCD practice were produced using an iterative, consensus-based approach followed by development of four implementation tools and three quality assurance and audit tools. CONCLUSIONS The tools developed will aid DCD centres in fulsomely adapting the Canadian Critical Care Society Withdrawal of Life-Sustaining Measures guideline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Healey
- Division of Emergency Medicine, Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.
- Trillium Gift of Life Network, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Michael Hartwick
- Department of Critical Care, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - James Downar
- Department of Critical Care, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sean Keenan
- Division of Critical Care Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Donation Services, BC Transplant, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jehan Lalani
- Donation and Transplantation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jim Mohr
- Donation and Transplantation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Amber Appleby
- Donation and Transplantation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Jenna Spring
- Interdepartmental Division of Critical Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jesse W Delaney
- Departments of Critical Care and Medicine, Scarborough Health Network, Scarborough, ON, Canada
- Division of Palliative Care, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Lindsay C Wilson
- Donation and Transplantation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Sam Shemie
- Donation and Transplantation, Canadian Blood Services, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Division of Critical Care, Montréal Children's Hospital, Montréal, QC, Canada
- McGill University Health Centre and Research Institute, Montréal, QC, Canada
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El Jawiche R, Hallit S, Tarabey L, Abou-Mrad F. Withholding and withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments in intensive care units in Lebanon: a cross-sectional survey of intensivists and interviews of professional societies, legal and religious leaders. BMC Med Ethics 2020; 21:80. [PMID: 32859185 PMCID: PMC7456082 DOI: 10.1186/s12910-020-00525-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Little is known about the attitudes and practices of intensivists working in Lebanon regarding withholding and withdrawing life-sustaining treatments (LSTs). The objectives of the study were to assess the points of view and practices of intensivists in Lebanon along with the opinions of medical, legal and religious leaders regarding withholding withdrawal of life-sustaining treatments in Lebanese intensive care units (ICU). Methods A web-based survey was conducted among intensivists working in Lebanese adult ICUs. Interviews were also done with Lebanese medical, legal and religious leaders. Results Of the 229 survey recipients, 83 intensivists completed it, i.e. a response rate of (36.3%). Most respondents were between 30 and 49 years old (72%), Catholic Christians (60%), anesthesiologists (63%), working in Beirut (47%). Ninety-two percent of them were familiar with the withholding and withdrawal concepts and 80% applied them. Poor prognosis of the acute and chronic disease and futile therapy were the main reasons to consider withholding and withdrawal of treatments. Ninety-five percent of intensivists agreed with the “Principle of Double Effect” (i.e. adding analgesia and or sedation to patients after the withholding/withdrawal decisions in order to prevent their suffering and allow their comfort, even though it might hasten the dying process). The main withheld therapies were vasopressors, respiratory assistance and CPR. Most of the respondents reported the decision was often to always multidisciplinary (92%), involving the family (68%), and the patient (65%), or his advance directives (77%) or his surrogate (81%) and the nurses (78%). The interviewees agreed there was a law governing withholding and withdrawal decisions/practices in Lebanon. Christians and Muslim Sunni leaders declared accepting those practices (withholding or withdrawing LSTs from patients when appropriate). Conclusion Withholding and withdrawal of LSTs in the ICU are known concepts among intensivists working in Lebanon and are being practiced. Our results could be used to inform and optimize therapeutic limitation in ICUs in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita El Jawiche
- Anesthesia Department, Bahman Hospital, Haret Hreik, near Masjed El Hassanein, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Souheil Hallit
- Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon. .,INSPECT-LB: Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidemiologie Clinique et Toxicologie- Liban, Beirut, Lebanon.
| | - Lubna Tarabey
- Institute of Social Sciences and Medical School, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
| | - Fadi Abou-Mrad
- Neurology Division and Memory Clinic, Saint Charles Hospital, Baabda, Lebanon.,Division of Medical Ethics & Forensic Medicine, Lebanese University, Hadath, Lebanon
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Comparison of End-of-Life Care Practices Between Children With Complex Chronic Conditions and Neonates Dying in an ICU Versus Non-ICUs: A Substudy of the Pediatric End-of-LIfe CAre Needs in Switzerland (PELICAN) Project. Pediatr Crit Care Med 2020; 21:e236-e246. [PMID: 32091504 DOI: 10.1097/pcc.0000000000002259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To describe and compare characteristics of care provided at the end of life for children with chronic complex conditions and neonates who died in an ICU with those who died outside an ICU. DESIGN Substudy of a nation-wide retrospective chart review. SETTING Thirteen hospitals, including 14 pediatric and neonatal ICUs, two long-term institutions, and 10 community-based organizations in the three language regions of Switzerland. PATIENTS One hundred forty-nine children (0-18 yr) who died in the years 2011 or 2012. Causes of death were related to cardiac, neurologic, oncological, or neonatal conditions. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Demographic and clinical characteristics, therapeutic procedures, circumstances of death, and patterns of decisional processes were extracted from the medical charts. Ninety-three (62%) neonates (median age, 4 d) and children (median age, 23 mo) died in ICU, and 56 (38%) with a median age of 63 months outside ICU. Generally, ICU patients had more therapeutic and invasive procedures, compared with non-ICU patients. Changes in treatment plan in the last 4 weeks of life, such as do-not-resuscitate orders occurred in 40% of ICU patients and 25% of non-ICU patients (p < 0.001). In the ICU, when decision to withdraw life-sustaining treatment was made, time to death in children and newborns was 4:25 and 3:00, respectively. In institutions where it was available, involvement of specialized pediatric palliative care services was recorded in 15 ICU patients (43%) and in 18 non-ICU patients (78%) (p = 0.008). CONCLUSIONS This nation-wide study demonstrated that patients with a complex chronic condition who die in ICU, compared with those who die outside ICU, are characterized by fast changing care situations, including when to withdraw life-sustaining treatment. This highlights the importance of early effective communication and shared decision making among clinicians and families.
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Fehnel CR, Armengol de la Hoz M, Celi LA, Campbell ML, Hanafy K, Nozari A, White DB, Mitchell SL. Incidence and Risk Model Development for Severe Tachypnea Following Terminal Extubation. Chest 2020; 158:1456-1463. [PMID: 32360728 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2020.04.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Revised: 04/03/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Palliative ventilator withdrawal (PVW) in the ICU is a common occurrence. RESEARCH QUESTION The goal of this study was to measure the rate of severe tachypnea as a proxy for dyspnea and to identify characteristics associated with episodes of tachypnea. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS This study assessed a retrospective cohort of ICU patients from 2008 to 2012 mechanically ventilated at a single academic medical center who underwent PVW. The primary outcome of at least one episode of severe tachypnea (respiratory rate > 30 breaths/min) within 6 h after PVW was measured by using detailed physiologic and medical record data. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the association between patient and treatment characteristics with the occurrence of a severe episode of tachypnea post extubation. RESULTS Among 822 patients undergoing PVW, 19% and 30% had an episode of severe tachypnea during the 1-h and 6-h postextubation period, respectively. Within 1 h postextubation, patients with the following characteristics were more likely to experience tachypnea: no pre-extubation opiates (adjusted OR [aOR], 2.08; 95% CI, 1.03-4.19), lung injury (aOR, 3.33; 95% CI, 2.19-5.04), Glasgow Coma Scale score > 8 (aOR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.30-3.77), and no postextubation opiates (aOR, 1.90; 95% CI, 1.19-3.00). INTERPRETATION Up to one-third of ICU patients undergoing PVW experience severe tachypnea. Administration of pre-extubation opiates (anticipatory dosing) represents a key modifiable factor that may reduce poor symptom control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey R Fehnel
- Hebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Boston, MA; Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.
| | - Miguel Armengol de la Hoz
- Division of Clinical Informatics, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA; Laboratory for Computational Physiology, Institute for Medical Engineering and Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA; Biomedical Engineering and Telemedicine Group, Biomedical Technology Centre CTB, ETSI Telecomunicación, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Leo A Celi
- Department of Medicine, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA
| | | | - Khalid Hanafy
- Department of Neurology, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Ala Nozari
- Department of Medicine, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
| | - Douglas B White
- Department of Critical Care, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, PA
| | - Susan L Mitchell
- Hebrew SeniorLife Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, Boston, MA; Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA; Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The aim of this review is to examine literature relating to the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy (WLST). RECENT FINDINGS Discussions regarding end-of-life issues in adults and children are not occurring comprehensively. Discussions relating to the WLST in the pediatric population varies by institution and may vary by race, age, health insurance, diagnosis, and severity of illness. Completing advance directives prior to placement of life-sustaining treatments is not consistent practice. With the WLST, differences in perspectives exist between medical specialties, within one specialty at different levels of training, and in physicians' ethical and psychological responses to the WLST. The timing of WLST appears to be influenced by ICU strain and communication issues. Study outcomes differ regarding the functionally favorable survival of patients who have had WLST. Universal guidelines for the WLST may not address individual patient circumstances. SUMMARY Discussions of end-of-life issues early in the course of a patient's health care will contribute to the healthcare team's understanding and respect of the patient's wishes. This article addresses the withdrawal of left ventricular assist devices; attending physicians and physicians in training perspectives of WLST; do physicians distinguish between withholding and WLST; the timing of WLST; guidelines for the process of WLST; and pediatrics and end-of-life decisions.
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Soriani MH, Desnuelle C. Care management in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2017; 173:288-299. [PMID: 28461024 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2017.03.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/27/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a relentlessly progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive weakness of voluntary muscles of movement as well as those for swallowing, speech and respiration. In the absence of curative treatment, care can improve quality of life, prolong survival, and support ALS patients and their families, and also help them to anticipate and prepare for the end of life. Multidisciplinary management in tertiary centers is recommended in close collaboration with general practitioners, home carers and a dedicated health network. Patients' follow-up deals mainly with motor impairment and physical disability, adaptation, nutrition and respiratory function. Involvement of palliative care as part of the multidisciplinary team management offers patients the possibility of discussing their end of life issues. This review summarizes the different aspects of ALS care, from delivering the diagnosis to the end of life, and the organization of its management.
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Affiliation(s)
- M-H Soriani
- Centre de référence maladies neuromusculaire/SLA, university hospital of Nice, CS 51069, 06001 Nice cedex 1, France.
| | - C Desnuelle
- Centre de référence maladies neuromusculaire/SLA, university hospital of Nice, CS 51069, 06001 Nice cedex 1, France
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Downar J, Delaney J, Hawryluck L, Kenny L. Neither guidelines nor symptom-targeted opioids are harmful when withdrawing life-sustaining measures. Intensive Care Med 2016; 42:1303-4. [PMID: 27225790 DOI: 10.1007/s00134-016-4390-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James Downar
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth St. 9 N-926, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada.
| | - Jesse Delaney
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth St. 9 N-926, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Laura Hawryluck
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth St. 9 N-926, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada
| | - Lisa Kenny
- Division of Critical Care, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, 200 Elizabeth St. 9 N-926, Toronto, ON, M5G 2C4, Canada
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