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Bioprosthetic aorta valves are recommended for those > 70 years of age because of their reduced durability compared to mechanical valves and mechanical prostheses, which are recommended for those < 60 years because bioprosthetic valves deteriorate more rapidly in younger individuals.
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Due to the short half-life and rapid onset of action of the new oral anticoagulants (NOACs), peri-procedural anticoagulant free time intervals should be shorter than with warfarin. Thus, there is uncertainty about the use of heparin bridging.
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Although not a life-threatening condition, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is one of the most annoying and troublesome problems that plagues aging males.
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Because of its strong efficacy, long-term durability, and predictability when titrated with algorithms employed in clinical trials, basal insulin remains a mainstay of treatment for type 2 diabetes patients who are not able to attain or maintain glycemic control with oral agents alone. Because diabetes is a progressive disorder, even patients who are initially well-controlled on basal insulin will likely require “fine tuning” of their diabetes regimen, usually with agents that preferentially affect postprandial glucose levels.
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Hydrocodone is formulated to resist crushing, breaking, and dissolution and still retain some extended-release properties.
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Bundled payments aim to contain healthcare costs, but some say this new payment model has the potential to incentivize undertreatment.
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In light of multiple recent studies linking feeding tubes in patients with advanced dementia with numerous treatment burdens and complications, the American Geriatrics Society released an updated position statement in July 2014 on this practice.
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Physicians or other healthcare professionals occasionally try to impede ethical discussions for a variety of reasons.
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Poor communication between providers and the patient or family is the underlying reason for many ethics consults involving conflicts over end-of-life care.