Question - late stage of multi-table tourney

[PokerNeal]

In the late stages of a tourney the cost of going in with a hand is significant if you don't end up making the hand. You can enter the late stages with an above-average stack and quickly find yourself with half that if a couple of hand you play don't pan out. My question is if you enter the late stage of the tourney with an above-average stack what sort of hands would you make a play with? And if you don't make the hand on the flop do you bluff or limit your damage and get out? Of late I have had my stack dented significantly when aggressive play with a hand like A-K or a high pocket pair have not had follow-up on the flop. The transition from a healthy stack to a short stack can be relatively quick if lady luck does not give you follow-up luck after starting you off with a great starting hand!