title: Ethical obligation of surgeons to noncompliant patients: can a surgeon refuse to operate on an intravenous drug-abusing patient with recurrent aortic valve prosthesis infection?
authors: Cardiothoracic Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, Texas, USA.
authors: J Michael
authors: JM
authors: DiMaio
authors: Tomas A
authors: TA
authors: Salerno
authors: Ron
authors: R
authors: Bernstein
authors: Katia
authors: K
authors: Araujo
authors: Marco
authors: M
authors: Ricci
authors: Robert M
authors: RM
authors: Sade
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001022:Aortic Valve Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001705:Bioprosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D003657:Decision Making; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010819:Physician's Role; D016459:Prosthesis-Related Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D016079:Refusal to Treat / Q000941:ethics*; D012086:Reoperation; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D014481:United States