Latest Articles
- Perioperative care of the elderly patient: special considerations
For the elderly, surgical risk factors such as underlying disease or the nature of the surgery are more important than age alone. A preoperative assessment can help define risk.
- Methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis: when NSAIDs fail
With diligent monitoring, low-dose methotrexate is effective for treating selected patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and it is safer than previously thought.
- Preoperative screenings What tests are necessary?
Ordering preoperative tests is as easy as checking a form. But what tests are worthwhile for which patients?
- Are calcium antagonists safe?
Recent studies have generated a storm of controversy. A member of the NIH committee on calcium-channel blockers gives his perspective.
- Postoperative confusion in a 42-year-old man
Recognizing the cause of postoperative confusion and treating the problem: a self-test
- The preoperative bleeding time test: assessing its clinical usefulness
Because of the bleeding time test's low value in predicting perioperative bleeding, it should be abandoned as a routine screening test.
- Postoperative pulmonary complications: risk assessment, prevention, and treatment
Preoperative pulmonary function testing is needed only in high-risk patients; proper management can decrease the risk.
- A 55-year-old man with chronic liver disease and coagulation abnormalities
Assessing the effect of cirrhosis on coagulation and preventing perioperative bleeding: a self-test
- The internist as consultant
Ways internists can improve their effectiveness in evaluating patients, managing surgical complications and communicating with referring physicians.