Ethical Challenges in Modern Cardiovascular Medicine
In the past two decades, cardiology has experienced what many consider to be a revolution in the field. Advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment have created decision-making challenges not only for physicians and their patients but for the drug and device industries and society. October’s authors look closely at the ethical concerns raised by these new clinical alternatives, including the temptation to practice defensive medicine, use of statins in pediatric patients, government intervention in diet and lifestyle choices, pharmaceutical marketing practices, and disparities in access to care among cardiology patients.