What is Important to Families in Intensive Care Once a Decision has been Made to Withdraw Treatment

To What Extent Vital Signs Are Important to Medical Toxicologists When Conflicts Arise in Defining Toxidroms

The heart team approach to transcatheter aortic valve implantation: What has been done and what is to be expected.

Aortic stenosis is the most common acquired valvular heart disease in Europe. Its importance is growing not only because of its prevalence, but also because percutaneous treatment options have emerged in the last fifteen years that provide validated and effective treatment for previously untreatable patients. Although a variety of devices are now available for treating patients of advanced age ...

The prevalence, impact and economic implications of atrial fibrillation in stroke: what progress has been made?

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for stroke, especially in the elderly. Increased life expectancies mean that AF-related stroke is a growing global public health concern. Improvements in the detection, treatment and prevention of the consequences of AF have occurred in recent years. However, the extent to which these improvements have impacted on the prevalence of AF, the risk of...

Going from What Is, to What Should Be, to Care Better for Our Patients and Families.

This piece discusses ways in which clinicians may go beyond their usual practices. These include exploring the limits of old laws, consulting with colleagues and ethics committees earlier and more often, and giving patients' family members new choices they didn't have previously. This could include asking patients and family members whether clinicians should prioritize staying in the single, un...

The process used by surrogate decision makers to withhold and withdraw life-sustaining measures in an intensive care environment.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To understand the process used by surrogate decision makers who have chosen to withhold and withdraw life-sustaining measures in intensive care units (ICUs). DESIGN Grounded theory. SETTING Multihospital system in central Texas. SAMPLE 17 surrogates who decided to withhold and withdraw life-sustaining measures from patients with a variety of diagnoses, including cancer....