Should we screen patients undergoing thoracic surgery for aortic stenosis pre-operatively?

Should we screen for abdominal aortic aneurysms?

Ultrasonography can screen for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) safely, cheaply, and accurately. Once detected, an AAA can be monitored and repaired before it is likely to rupture. The US Preventive Services Task Force recently recommended a one-time screening for AAAs by ultrasonography for men age 65 to 75 years who have ever smoked. We should consider expanding the recommendations to includ...

Prognostic Impact of Tricuspid Regurgitation in Patients Undergoing Aortic Valve Surgery for Aortic Stenosis

BACKGROUND The prognostic significance of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) and right ventricular (RV) function in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement (AVR) for severe aortic stenosis (AS) is unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the impact of TR and RV systolic dysfunction on early and late mortality in this setting. METHODS This was a prospective single-center observatio...

Should patients with asymptomatic mild or moderate aortic stenosis undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery also have valve replacement for their aortic stenosis?

Should we screen for cirrhosis?

Liver disease is the second leading cause of potential years of working life lost in England and Wales (72 684), after ischaemic heart disease (77 432). But although years lost from ischaemic heart disease have fallen by a factor of four since 1979, those from liver disease years have increased threefold and are still increasing. The increase is in constrast to the trend in Mediterranean region...

How Should We Screen Patients for Major Depression?

practice. 8 However, the initial manifestations of depression can be subtle and might not be recognized during routine, often brief, primary care visits focused on physical complaints or conditions (as illustrated in the case presented here). Many office visits may occur before the physician explores the possibility of depression. Untreated depression may lead patients to attempt suicide (and p...