For first-time, isolated aortic valve replacement, mechanical prostheses should be considered in patients under age 65 years with a life expectancy of at least 10 years. Bioprostheses should be considered in patients over age 65 years or with lung disease (in patients over age 60 years), renal disease, coronary disease, ejection fraction less than 40%, or a life expectancy less than 10 years.

Choice of biologic or mechanical prosthesis does not significantly affect long-term patient survival after mitral valve replacement.

No abstract

For the treatment of SOD incorporating pancreatic and biliary sphincterotomy, patient characteristics and pancreatic sphincter manometry may be more important predictors of outcome than the traditional classification based on liver chemistries and bile duct dilation.

Depressive symptoms occur frequently among adolescents and are often unrecognized. Efforts to increase awareness of depression among ED physicians, adolescents, and parents of adolescents may be beneficial.