E-Book Overview
The critical care unit manages patients with a vast range of disease and injuries affecting every organ system. The unit can initially be a daunting environment, with complex monitoring equipment producing large volumes of clinical data. Core Topics in Critical Care Medicine is a practical, comprehensive, introductory-level text for any clinician in their first few months in the critical care unit. It guides clinicians in both the initial assessment and the clinical management of all CCU patients, demystifying the critical care unit and providing key knowledge in a concise and accessible manner. The full spectrum of disorders likely to be encountered in critical care are discussed, with additional chapters on transfer and admission, imaging in the CCU, structure and organisation of the unit, and ethical and legal issues. Written by Critical Care experts, Core Topics in Critical Care Medicine provides comprehensive, concise and easily accessible information for all trainees.
E-Book Content
This page intentionally left blank Core Topics in Critical Care Medicine Core Topics in Critical Care Medicine Edited by Fang Gao Smith Professor in Anaesthesia, Critical Care Medicine and Pain, Academic Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Clinical Trials Unit, University of Warwick, UK Associate editor Joyce Yeung Anaesthetic Specialist Registrar, Warwickshire Rotation, West Midlands Deanery and Research Fellow, Academic Department of Anaesthesia, Critical Care and Pain, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, UK CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY PRESS Cambridge, New York, Melbourne, Madrid, Cape Town, Singapore, São Paulo, Delhi, Dubai, Tokyo Cambridge University Press The Edinburgh Building, Cambridge CB2 8RU, UK Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York www.cambridge.org Information on this title: www.cambridge.org/9780521897747 © Fang Gao Smith and Joyce Yeung 2010 This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception and to the provision of relevant collective licensing agreements, no reproduction of any part may take place without the written permission of Cambridge University Press. First published in print format 2010 ISBN-13 978-0-511-71311-8 eBook (NetLibrary) ISBN-13 978-0-521-89774-7 Hardback Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of urls for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication, and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain, accurate or appropriate. Every effort has been made in preparing this publication to provide accurate and up-to-date information which is in accord with accepted standards and practice at the time of publication. Although case histories are drawn from actual cases, every effort has been made to disguise the identities of the individuals involved. Nevertheless, the authors, editors and publishers can make no warranties that the information contained herein is totally free from error, not least because clinical standards are constantly changing through research and regulation. The authors, editors and publishers therefore disclaim all liability for direct or consequential damages resulting from the use of material contained in this publication. Readers are strongly advised to pay careful attention to information provided by the manufacturer of any drugs or equipment that they plan to use. Contents List of contributors page vii Foreword by Julian Bion ix Preface xi Acknowledgements xii List of abbreviations xiii Section I Specific features of critical care medicine 1 1 Recognition of critical illness Edwin Mitchell 1 2 Advanced airway management Isma Quasim 6 3 Patient