Bioethical controversies in pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgery

Abstract

This title reviews the bioethical issues in congenital heart disease and other difficult pediatric cardiology and cardiac surgical situations. It provides considered opinions and recommendations as to the preferred actions to take in these cases, stressing the importance of making informed decisions that are bioethically sound and doing so using considered reasoning of all the related sensitive issues. Bioethical Controversies in Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery provides detailed recommendations on potential solutions to make bioethical decisions in difficult clinical scenarios. There is particular emphasis on controversies involving surgery for hypoplastic left heart syndrome, futility, informed consent, autonomy, genomics, and beneficence. It is intended for use by a wide range of practitioners, including congenital heart surgeons, pediatric cardiologists, pediatric intensivists, nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants, and clinical ethicists.