Patients treated by a thoracic surgeon with HIV. A review.

Transmission of HIV from healthcare worker to patient has been documented in one report. Though the means of transmission in that case remains unknown, procedures that involve exposure to blood or mucous membranes are thought to carry an increased risk. Because of previous evidence of transmission of hepatitis B by cardiothoracic surgeons, they have been identified as a group known to perform exposure-prone invasive procedures with a risk of viral transmission. A retrospective review of 612 patients of a cardiothoracic surgeon who is HIV-positive was conducted in an attempt to identify any instance of viral transmission. A total of 189 patients received HIV testing and counseling. No positive test results were obtained.