Harefuah
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The number of surgical procedures performed in patients with significant ischemic heart disease is growing. The need for preoperative cardiology consultation in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery has been the subject of continuous debate. We evaLuated if the requests for preoperative cardiology consultation in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery were consistent with the 2009 ACC/AHA Guidelines. ⋯ Only in a minority of patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery, the preoperative cardiology consultation requests followed the ACC/AHA Guidelines. Preoperative cardiology consultations in the daily clinical practice are overused.
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In contrast to the position of the World Medical Association and the Ethics Council of the Israel Medical Association, the author argues for forced-feeding of hunger-striking prisoners when their condition reaches a stage of danger of death or permanent injury. This position is based on the priority of human life over autonomy, and of a communitarian ethic. This position is supported by a District Court decision ordering the feeding of a hunger-striking prisoner, by a Supreme Court decision imposing surgery on a non-consenting prisoner, and in line with Israel's Patient's Right Law.