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The impact of echocardiographic results on treatment decisions for patients suspected of mitral valve prolapse.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Retchin, SM; Waugh, RA; Fletcher, RH
Published in: Med Care
July 1987

Although echocardiography is frequently ordered in ambulatory settings for patients suspected of mitral valve prolapse (MVP), its impact on their subsequent management is unknown. We studied the relationship between the results of echocardiography for outpatients suspected of MVP, and two frequent medical decisions: treatment with beta blockers and the recommendation of antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent bacterial endocarditis. A medical record audit was performed on 274 outpatients referred to a university medical center echocardiography laboratory to rule out MVP. Although echocardiographic evidence for MVP significantly influenced the decision to recommend antibiotic prophylaxis (P less than 0.001), symptoms were more likely to be used as indications for beta-blocker therapy in patients suspected of the condition. We conclude that echocardiographic results are used for recommending antibiotic prophylaxis to outpatients suspected of MVP, but not for beta-blocker therapy.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Med Care

DOI

ISSN

0025-7079

Publication Date

July 1987

Volume

25

Issue

7

Start / End Page

652 / 657

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Technology Assessment, Biomedical
  • Mitral Valve Prolapse
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Policy & Services
  • Female
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial
  • Echocardiography
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Adult
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Retchin, S. M., Waugh, R. A., & Fletcher, R. H. (1987). The impact of echocardiographic results on treatment decisions for patients suspected of mitral valve prolapse. Med Care, 25(7), 652–657. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005650-198707000-00008
Retchin, S. M., R. A. Waugh, and R. H. Fletcher. “The impact of echocardiographic results on treatment decisions for patients suspected of mitral valve prolapse.Med Care 25, no. 7 (July 1987): 652–57. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005650-198707000-00008.
Retchin, S. M., et al. “The impact of echocardiographic results on treatment decisions for patients suspected of mitral valve prolapse.Med Care, vol. 25, no. 7, July 1987, pp. 652–57. Pubmed, doi:10.1097/00005650-198707000-00008.

Published In

Med Care

DOI

ISSN

0025-7079

Publication Date

July 1987

Volume

25

Issue

7

Start / End Page

652 / 657

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Technology Assessment, Biomedical
  • Mitral Valve Prolapse
  • Male
  • Humans
  • Health Policy & Services
  • Female
  • Endocarditis, Bacterial
  • Echocardiography
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Adult