Showing 21-40 of 74 for: Essential Evidence Topics > Cardiovascular 
- Coronary heart disease
Essential Evidence Topics, 19-Sep-2022
Overall Bottom Line: Determine the pretest probability of coronary artery disease (CAD) in all patients with typical and atypical angina. Stratify risk using noninvasive testing, including rest ECG for patients with typical/atypical angina and an exer
- Deep vein thrombosis
Essential Evidence Topics, 1-Mar-2023
Overall Bottom Line: Use a validated clinical rule like the Wells score for an estimation of the pretest probability of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) to assist with the diagnostic process. Compression ultrasonography is the best initial imaging test for de
- Dehydration (adult)
Essential Evidence Topics, 23-Aug-2019
Overall Bottom Line: The recommended daily intake of fluids should not be less than 1600 mL/24 h in order to ensure adequate hydration in older adults. A fluid intake sheet and urine specific gravity might be the best methods of monitoring daily fluid.
- Dementia (multi-infarct)
Essential Evidence Topics, 10-Jul-2021
Overall Bottom Line: In patients suspected of having dementia with vascular risk factors or atherosclerotic disease, neuroimaging showing evidence of brain infarction is highly suggestive of multi-infarct dementia (MID). Cholinesterase inhibitors offer
- DiGeorge syndrome
Essential Evidence Topics, 5-Jul-2021
Overall Bottom Line: Suspect DiGeorge syndrome in a newborn or infant with hypocalcemia, nasopharyngeal reflux, dysmorphic facial features involving the ears and nose, hyperterlolism (particularly present in Caucasian infants), absent thymus, and/or conge
- Digoxin toxicity
Essential Evidence Topics, 17-Jun-2021
Bottom-line: Suspect digoxin toxicity in patients taking digoxin who present with GI symptoms, visual changes, lethargy, confusion, weakness, or characteristic ECG changes (). Initial assessment should include digoxin level, potassium, and ECG. Monitor re
- Dizziness
Essential Evidence Topics, 3-Jul-2022
Overall Bottom Line: Patients who are older than 70 years, who have a neurological deficit, or lack vertigo should be investigated for a serious cause of dizziness (medication related, neurologic, or cardiac). Perform the Dix-Hallpike maneuver in patien
- Edema
Essential Evidence Topics, 10-Mar-2021
Overall Bottom Line: Common causes of leg edema include heart failure, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), lymphedema, obesity, pregnancy, venous insufficiency, and medications (calcium channel blockers, NSAIDs, and corticosteroids). Begin by evaluating whether
- Endocarditis
Essential Evidence Topics, 27-Apr-2021
Overall Bottom Line: Infective endocarditis (IE) should be suspected in a patient with bacteremia that has no clear source (especially if the patient has structural cardiac abnormalities, prosthetic valves, intravenous drug use, or intravenous catheters).
- Esophageal varices
Essential Evidence Topics, 3-May-2022
Overall Bottom Line: Patients should be screened for varices with esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) when the diagnosis of cirrhosis is first made. In patients with Child class B or C chronic liver disease and varices, nonselective beta blockers should be
- Giant cell arteritis
Essential Evidence Topics, 4-Jul-2022
Overall Bottom Line: Consider giant cell arteritis (GCA) in patients over age 50 years with jaw claudication, diplopia, or temporal artery physical findings. Do not delay treatment while waiting for results of temporal artery biopsy; start high dose cor
- Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (diastolic heart failure)
Essential Evidence Topics, 21-Feb-2023
Overall Bottom Line: Patients with diastolic heart failure (also called heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or HFpEF) have typical signs and symptoms of heart failure (exertional dyspnea, fatigue, pulmonary or peripheral fluid accumulation) but
- Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (systolic heart failure)
Essential Evidence Topics, 21-Feb-2023
Overall Bottom Line: Heart failure is a syndrome resulting from a variety of cardiac pathologies, but typified by elevated cardiac filling pressures and/or a reduction in cardiac output. The absence of classical signs and a normal chest X-ray do not exc
- Heart murmurs (child)
Essential Evidence Topics, 7-Jan-2022
Overall Bottom Line: Screen for heart murmurs in childhood and as a part of the preparticipation examination for young athletes. Heart murmurs in childhood are common, and the great majority are benign. Most, but not all, congenital heart defects caus
- Heatstroke and hyperthermia
Essential Evidence Topics, 31-Dec-2021
Overall Bottom Line: Initiate cooling immediately in any patient suspected of heatstroke. Rapid recognition and treatment of heat stroke is essential to controlling morbidity and mortality. Consider other causes of pyrexia and mental status change in he
- Hyperaldosteronism (primary)
Essential Evidence Topics, 18-Dec-2019
Overall Bottom Line: Evaluate for primary aldosteronism (PA) in patients with hypertension associated with adrenal incidentaloma, spontaneous or diuretic induced hypokalemia, drug resistant hypertension (three or more drugs required for control), hyperten
- Hyperlipidemia
Essential Evidence Topics, 22-Nov-2021
Overall Bottom Line: Screen all adults 40 years and older for lipid disorders. Statins reduce overall mortality in primary and secondary prevention of CAD. Nicotinic acid, fibric acid derivatives, and ezetimibe improve lipid profiles, but do not reduc
- Hypertension (essential)
Essential Evidence Topics, 21-Feb-2023
Overall Bottom Line: In patients older than 50 years, systolic blood pressure (SBP) more than 140 mm Hg is a much more important risk factor for cardiovascular disease than diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Patients with suspected hypertension should have
- Hypertension (secondary)
Essential Evidence Topics, 29-Nov-2021
Overall Bottom Line: Approximately 3% of patients with hypertension have a secondary cause. Suspect secondary hypertension in patients with early onset, with sudden worsening of control, or with refractory response to therapy, and also in patients with
- Hypertensive crisis
Essential Evidence Topics, 21-May-2019
Overall Bottom Line: Prompt management of hypertensive emergencies is key to limiting morbidity and mortality associated with target organ damage. Admit patients with hypertensive emergencies to the intensive care unit (ICU) for continuous monitoring an
