Main description:

This innovative new book provides a highly visual introduction to the basic principles and practice of intensive care medicine. Each topic is covered in a single two-page spread to make reference and study uncommonly easy and effective. Abundant full-colour line diagrams, clinical photographs, and radiological images demonstrate essential concepts at a glance.

Part of the successful Churchill Livingstone Illustrated Colour Text series, this volume is ideal for junior doctors, medical students and nurses.

Contents:

INTRODUCTION * The history of intensive care * What is intensive care?

SAFETY AND QUALITY IN THE ICU * Evidence-based intensive care * Critical care transport * Drug interactions

EVALUATION OF THE ICU PATIENT * Clinical excellence * Monitoring in the ICU

ICU PROCEDURES The airway in the ICU * Vascular access in the ICU * Fibreoptic bronchoscopy in the ICU * Cerebrospinal fluid, lumbar puncture and lumbar drain

ORGAN SUPPORT * Mechanical ventilation * Renal replacement therapy * Mechanical circulatory support

HOMEOSTASIS * Circulation * Oxygen delivery * ICU acid-basics * Carbon dioxide * Thermal disorders

FOOD, SALT AND FLUIDS * Feeding and starving in the ICU * Electrolyte abnormalities * Fluid therapy in the ICU * Blood and blood components

ORGAN SYSTEMS: CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM * Neurological assessment * Central nervous system injury * Weakness in the ICU * Seizures * Altered mental states * Analgesia in the ICU * ICU sedation * Organ donation

ORGAN SYSTEMS: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM * Monitoring the cardiovascular system * Ischaemic heart disease * Heart failure in the ICU * Arrhythmia * Pacing * Cardiac surgery * Pulmonary hypertension * Valvular and congenital heart disease

ORGAN SYSTEMS: RESPIRATORY * Respiratory failure * Asthma * Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease * The ICU chest X-ray

ORGAN SYSTEMS: GASTROINTESTINAL/RENAL * Renal failure * Gastrointestinal bleeding * Gastrointestinal motility disorders * Cholecystitis/pancreatitis * Liver failure

ORGAN SYSTEMS: ENDOCRINE * Endocrine function in the ICU * Diabetes mellitus in the ICU * Endocrine emergencies

HAEMATOLOGICAL * Clotting and bleeding: a delicate balance * Thrombosis in the ICU * Bleeding in the ICU

INFECTION * Prevention and treatment of infections * Sepsis and septic shock* Central nervous system infection * Pneumonia * Infections associated with prosthetic material in the ICU * The immunocompromised patient in critical care * Tropical medicine * Clever bugs and defunct drugs

SPECIAL TOPICS * Inflammation * Burns * Obstetric critical care * Toxicity: poisonings and overdoses * Deliberate attacks: chemicals, radiation and bioterrorism * Advanced cardiac life support * Ethics: limiting and withdrawing treatment * Trauma