More articles from 1-Minute consult
What evaluation should be done for an apparently healthy patient with an increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV)?Seemingly trivial symptoms, easily overlooked, can lead to the correct diagnosis.
- Is laser vision correction safe in patients with diabetes?
Some patients with diabetes may be candidates for one of the two kinds of laser surgery.
- Can fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome be cured by surgery?
The hypothesis is interesting, hut data are lacking.
Should patients with documented or probable coronary artery disease routinely be placed on beta-blockers before noncardiac surgery?Evidence from randomized, controlled trials indicates that most patients should receive beta-blockers in this situation.
- Should an ACE inhibitor be stopped if signs of renal insufficiency appear?
One must consider the magnitude of the decline and the expected benefits of continuing the medication.
- Can angiotensin II receptor blockers be used in patients who have developed a cough or angioedema as a result of taking an ACE inhibitor?
The new drugs have a lower side effect profile, but caution is indicated when giving them to patients with a history of ACE inhibitor-induced angioedema.
What are ‘tissue ACE inhibitors,’ and should they be used instead of other ACE inhibitors?Improvement in surrogate end points may not necessarily translate into improvement in “hard” clinical end points.
What is the risk of complications from cataract surgery in patients taking anticoagulants?Although cataract surgery is usually quite safe, two types of bleeding complications can lead to severe vision loss.
- Should we offer semen cryopreservation to men with testicular cancer?
All men with testicular cancer may opt for banking sperm if they wish to retain the ability to have children.
- What is a practical approach to outpatient evaluation of diarrhea in a previously healthy, middle-aged patient?
The approach depends on the duration of the diarrhea and the presence of other symptoms.