The two previous editions of Applied Physiology in Intensive Care Medicine proved extremely successful, and the book has now been revised and split into two volumes to enhance ease of use. In this second volume some of the most renowned experts in the field offer detailed reviews on measurement techniques and physiological processes of crucial importance in intensive care medicine. Throughout, a key aim is to help overcome the fundamental unevenness in clinicians’ understanding of applied physiology, which can lead to suboptimal treatment decisions. Applied Physiology in Intensive Care has been written by some of the most renowned experts in the field and provides an up-to-date compendium of practical bedside knowledge essential to the effective delivery of acute care medicine. It will serve the clinician as an invaluable reference source on key issues regularly confronted in everyday practice.

The two previous editions of Applied Physiology in Intensive Care Medicine proved extremely successful, and the book has now been revised and split into two volumes to enhance ease of use. This first volume comprises three elements -- "physiological notes," “technical notes,” and seminal studies. The physiological notes concisely and clearly capture the essence of the physiological perspectives underpinning our understanding of disease and response to therapy. The technical notes then succinctly explain some of the basics of “how to” in this technology-centered field of critical care medicine. Finally, a number of seminal studies are provided on diverse topics in intensive care. Applied Physiology in Intensive Care, written by some of the most renowned experts in the field, is an up-to-date compendium of practical bedside knowledge that will serve the clinician as an invaluable reference source on key issues regularly confronted in everyday practice.

Te practice of intensive care medicine is at the very forefront of titration of treatment andmonitoringresponse. Te substrateofthiscareisthe criticallyill patientwho,by defnition, is at the limits of his or her physiologic reserve. Such patients need immediate, aggressive but balanced life-altering interventions to minimize the detrimental aspects of acute illness and hasten recovery. Treatmentdecisionsandresponsetotherapyareusually assessed by measures of physiologic function, such as assessed by cardio-respiratory monitoring. However, how one uses such information is ofen unclear and rarely supported by prospective clinical trials. In reality, the bedside clinician is forced to rely primarily on physiologic principles in determining the best treatments and response to therapy. However, the physiologic foundation present in practicing physicians is uneven and occasionally supported more by habit or prior training than science. A series of short papers published in Intensive Care Medicine since 2002 under the heading Physiologic Notes attempts to capture the essence of the physiologic perspectives that underpin both our understanding of disease and response to therapy. Tis present volume combines the complete list of these Physiologic Notes up until July 2006 with the ass o cia t ed r e vie w a r tic les o v er t h e s a m e in t er val t ha t a ls o addr ess e d t hes e cen tral issues.

Revised and updated for this second edition, this compendium is essential to the effective delivery of acute care medicine and has been written by renowned experts in the field. It will serve as an invaluable reference source on key everyday issues.

Nunn's Applied Respiratory Physiology.