Intensive Care [antikvár]

FOREWORDIntensive care medicine is a broad specialty covering a wide spectrum of potentially life-threatening illnesses and injuries in patients with various underlying conditions. Few medical specialties have evolved and grown as rapidly as intensive care medicine during the past few decades. Intensive clinical and fundamental research have resulted in a clearer understanding of the complex pathophysiology of the host's response to acute disease, whilst new methods of medical and surgical treatment, as well as new technologies to support vital organ functions, have been introduced. Decisionmaking in critically ill patients with complex pathophysiology and multisystem involvement requires the ability to assign priorities to diagnostic procedures and to tailor treatment to the needs of individual patients. Appropriate interpretation of information obtained from clinical examination, investigations, and monitoring forms the basis of a logical and comprehensive approach to the management of critical illness. The intensivist needs, therefore, theoretical knowledge and practical skills not included in training in the traditional specialties, in order to offer the best possible care to the critically ill.In the rapidly evolving field of intensive care medicine trainees have to place scientific knowledge, as well as new treatment and monitoring techniques into a meaningful context. This requires a framework that includes an understanding of global pathophysiology, specific organ dysfunction, the systemic effects of the host's response, the technical aspects of patient monitoring and vital organ support, and the ability to interpret monitored data, as well as a knowledge of treatment modalities and the acquisition of practical skills. Doctors Hinds and Watson are to be congratulated on successfully producing such a framework in this concise textbook covering the main issues of intensive care medicine. The two authors from the same institution have achieved a uniformity of style and design, together with a balance between the various topics. In addition, overlap and repetition have been avoided, and recommendations are clear and nonconflicting. The intensive care trainee will find that information is easily accessible in this clearly written textbook and that by using the key references cited in each chapter particular subjects can be explored in greater depth.This concise textbook is an excellent introductory text for those embarking on a career in intensive care medicine and should also prove useful to trainees in other specialties, medical students and intensive care nurses.Lambert G. ThijsProfessor of Medicine, Director Medical Intensive Care Unit, Free University Hospital, Amsterdam