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Ann Thorac Surg 2002;74:1429
© 2002 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

Ethics in cardiothoracic surgery

Witnessing death, preserving life: an ethical dilemma (hypothetical case)

Robert M. Sade, MDa*

a Department of Surgery, Institute of Human Values in Health Care, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA

* Address reprint requests to Dr Sade, Department of Surgery, 96 Jonathan Lucas St, Suite 409, PO Box 250612, Charleston, SC 29425, USA.
e-mail: sader@musc.edu

The first 20% of the full text of this article appears below.

Harvey Charles, a 51-year-old white man, had several episodes of chest pain and was referred to a cardiologist. Before cardiac catheterization, Mr Charles stated that he was a member of the Jehovah’s Witness faith and that he would not allow any transfusion of blood or blood products, and would not accept autotransfusion. He signed a specific directive for refusal of blood products. Catheterization revealed coronary artery obstructions that were not amenable to catheter treatment, and the patient was referred to John Smith, MD, a respected cardiac surgeon. The patient told the surgeon of his Jehovah’s Witness faith and his requirement that a blood transfusion not be given, signing a document declaring his refusal of blood transfusions and absolving the surgeon and hospital of all liability in case lack of transfusion led . . . [Full Text of this Article]




This article has been cited by other articles:


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 Ann. Thorac. Surg.Home page
D. T. Ridley
Legal consequences of disregarding the wishes of a patient
Ann. Thorac. Surg., October 1, 2003; 76(4): 1336 - 1336.
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 Ann. Thorac. Surg.Home page
R. M. Sade
Legal consequences of disregarding a patient's wishes: Reply
Ann. Thorac. Surg., October 1, 2003; 76(4): 1336 - 1337.
[Full Text] [PDF]


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