Critical care medicine is responsible for many of the most important advances in outcomes after cardiothoracic surgery in the past two decades. The expertise developed in this subspecialty accounts for the resiliency that characterizes gold standard results evident in institutions recognized for excellence. This volume is intended to share ideas and algorithms that will improve outcomes in cardiothoracic critical care units. This book is part of the Difficult Decisions in Surgery series that covers surgical specialties. The volumes are multi-authored, containing brief chapters, each of which are devoted to one or two specific questions or decisions within that specialty that are difficult or controversial. The volumes are intended as a current and timely reference source for practicing surgeons, surgeons in training, and educators that describe the recommended ideal approach, rather than customary care, in selected clinical situations.

The complexity of decision making in thoracic surgery is growing exponentially. As new technology is introduced, physicians from nonsurgical specialties offer alternative and competing therapies for what was once the exclusive province of the thoracic surgeon. In addition, there is increasing knowledge regarding the efficacy of traditional thoracic surgical therapies. How to select among these varied and complex approaches is becoming increasingly difficult. The first two editions of this book have found wide acceptance among practicing surgeons, trainees, and educators. Chapters from them are regularly cited by the Thoracic Surgery Directors Association as valuable resources for their weekly curriculum exercises. As in the first two editions, chapters adhere to a specific format (updated for the third edition). This approach provides uniformity to the presentations, making it possible to identify useful material at a glance.

Difficult Decisions in Thoracic Surgery: An Evidence-Based Approach describes the recommended ideal approach, rather than customary care, in selected clinical situations. Brief chapters are devoted to a specific question or decision in general thoracic surgery that is difficult or controversial. Although some of the content may be available in major thoracic texts, rarely are such questions posed specifically and analyzed according to the level of supporting evidence available. The chapters contain both evidence-based recommendations and descriptions of surgeons' personal practices based on their experience and the published literature. Chapters are organized around clearly identified recommendations, making possible the identification of useful material at a glance. Over 50 different topics are presented, including a review of available evidence and a general discussion of recommended practice. This book is a valuable reference source for practicing surgeons, surgeons in training, and educators.

This new bedside manual guides you through all the practical aspects of managing patients following cardiothoracic surgery and critically ill cardiology patients. Primarily designed to use in cardiothoracic intensive care units and coronary care units, it covers the perioperative management for the full range of cardiothoracic surgical procedures, the management of complications, and related issues. Core topics in cardiothoracic critical care, such as hemodynamic instability, arrhythmias, bleeding, and mechanical cardiac support, are afforded broad coverage. Also included are sections on advanced ventilatory techniques and veno-venous ECMO for treating severe respiratory failure, as well as nutritional support, treating and preventing infection, renal failure, and care of the dying patient. Concisely written and featuring liberal use of illustrations as well as an integrated, tightly edited style, and a limited number of key references, this volume will become your reference of choice for the care of of cardiothoracic surgery patients and critically ill cardiology patients. Find information quickly with concisely written text. Get a more complete picture with extensive illustrations. Focus on just the information you need using a a limited number of key references. Navigate the complexities of critical care for a fulll range of cardiothoracic surgery patients with in-depth coverage of perioperative care, management of complications, and more.

In consultation with Consulting Editor, Dr. Jan Foster, Dr. Brian Boling has put together a state-of the-art issue of the Critical Care Nursing Clinics devoted to Cardiothoracic Surgical Critical Care. Clinical review articles are specifically devoted to the following: Fast Track Cardiac Surgery; Options for Minimally Invasive Valvular Surgery; Surgical Interventions for the Treatment of Advanced Heart Failure; Lung Transplantation; Surgical Treatment of Lung Cancer; Post-Operative Management of Tetralogy of Fallot; Advanced Hemodynamic Monitoring in Cardiothoracic Surgery; Vasoactive Infusions in Cardiothoracic Surgery; Common Post Cardiothoracic Surgery Arrhythmias; Pain Control in the Cardiothoracic Surgery Patient; Renal Complications of Cardiothoracic Surgery; The Role of ECMO in Post Cardiotomy Shock; Resuscitation of Patients Who Arrest After Cardiac Surgery; and End of Life Care in Cardiothoracic Surgery. Readers will come away with the latest information they need to improve improves of cardiothoracic surgical patients.

Cardiothoracic Critical Care covers an engaging collection of critical scenarios based on actual cardiothoracic intensive care unit events, ranging in topics from fundamentals of critical care to management of mechanical circulatory support devices. Each chapter discusses a unique case scenario, the appropriate diagnosis, and summarizes the most up-to-date evidence-based management recommendations and best practice guidelines. Combining years of critical care experience into a problem-based learning compendium, Cardiothoracic Critical Care is an ideal resource for the diverse group of medical providers and levels of experience working in the intensive care unit.

Cardiac surgical procedures are among the most common and most complicated forms of surgery worldwide and the postoperative period is characterized by complex challenges. Among the factors determining ultimate clinical outcome, postoperative critical care is of major importance. This book adopts a clinical approach in explaining and analyzing the course of clinical care in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Since the postoperative clinical status is directly influenced by preoperative and intraoperative factors, the early chapters briefly examine preoperative issues and the intraoperative course of cardiac surgery, with particular attention to anesthesia and the process of cardiopulmonary bypass. Subsequent chapters primarily address the critical care of patients by means of an organ-oriented approach, which will enable the reader to use the text as a "cookbook" of cardiac intensive care. This book is intended for use in daily practice by cardiac surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, intensivists and cardiac intensive care nurses.