Arch Intern Med
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Although advance medical directives, such as living wills and durable powers of attorney for health care, are by themselves imperfect instruments for expressing patients' treatment preferences, a possible benefit of these documents is that they will enhance patient-physician communication, especially when end-of-life treatment decisions have to be made. ⋯ Despite public enthusiasm for the use of advance directives and great efforts to promote them, we found little evidence that these documents are associated with enhanced communication between patients and physicians about end-of-life treatment decisions.
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There are no studies that define the basic epidemiology of pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the elderly. This project was undertaken to provide that information. ⋯ Pulmonary embolism and DVT are common problems in the elderly. Both increase with age, but the effects of race and sex are small. Current treatment patterns appear to be effective in preventing both PE after DVT and recurrence of PE. Both are associated with substantial 1-year mortality, suggesting the need to understand the role of associated conditions as well as the indications for prophylaxis and the methods of treatment.