Procedures and Monitoring for the Critically Ill

Abstract

Procedures and Monitoring for the Critically Ill is a multi-authored manual, detailing 29 procedures and monitoring techniques used in intensive care. This is an expedient, introductory critical care reference, particularly for physicians in training. The topics are pragmatic, describing common procedural topics for intensive care. Typically, each area has an effective description of the methods and illustrations of the techniques. A bibliography of key references accompanies each chapter. Succinct descriptions of step by step methods as well as the required supplies are included for 1) hemodynamic monitoring (e.g., central venous pressure, pulmonary artery catheterization, arterial catheterization); 2) neurologic monitoring (e.g., intra-cranial pressure monitoring, jugular bulb oximetry); 3) trauma related areas (e.g., spinal immobilization, intra-abdominal pressure monitoring, abdominal paracentesis; 4) emergency airway support (e.g., endotracheal intubation, cricothryrotomy, bronchoscopy, and tracheostomy); as well as 5) other areas including transesophageal Doppler monitoring, epidural analgesia, renal support, and inferior vena cava filter placement. For greater detail in ICU monitoring procedures, interested readers are recommended to more encyclopedic texts, such as Principles and Practices of Intensive Care Medicine, edited by M.Tobin. In summary, this text is a useful reference during the preliminary years of training for critical care or rapid review of methodologies of ICU procedures and monitoring techniques.