More articles from 1-Minute Consult
- Which bowel preparation should be used for colonoscopy in patients who have had bariatric surgery?
The authors routinely use low-volume (2-L) polyethylene glycol preparations in split-dose regimens.
- When should an indwelling pleural catheter be considered for malignant pleural effusion?
Consider catheter placement if symptoms and effusions recur or if pleurodesis fails.
- Are there alternatives to surgery for Zenker diverticulum?
High rates of complications in elderly patients have led to the development of endoscopic procedures.
- Should patients with stable ischemic heart disease undergo revascularization?
The benefi t is much less clear for stable disease than for acute coronary syndromes.
- A female liver transplant recipient asks: Can I become pregnant?
Pregnancy is possible, but not immediately after transplant, and it involves risks.
- Should I suspect obstructive sleep apnea if a patient has hard-to-control hypertension?
Yes. Obstructive sleep apnea is common and is associated with hypertension and resistant hypertension.
- When does chest CT require contrast enhancement?
It may be needed in cases of suspected cancer or thoracovascular disease.
- How can I predict bleeding in my elderly patient taking anticoagulants?
We have tools, but their predictive value is modest. Clinical judgment is important.
- What is the best approach to a high systolic pulmonary artery pressure on echocardiography?
This is a common incidental finding. What to do depends on clinical presentation, comorbidities, and results of other tests.
- Can patients with infectious endocarditis be safely anticoagulated?
New infectious endocarditis is not an indication for starting anticoagulation, and whether to continue it is a diffi cult decision.