Written by a pioneer in critical care ultrasound, this book discusses the basic technique and “signatures” of lung ultrasound and explains its main clinical applications. The tools and clinical uses of the BLUE protocol, which allows diagnosis of most cases of acute respiratory failure, are first described in detail. Careful attention is then devoted to protocols derived from the BLUE protocol – the FALLS protocol for diagnosis and management of acute circulatory failure, the Pink protocol for use in ARDS, and the SESAME protocol for use in cardiac arrest – and to the LUCI-FLR program, a means of answering clinical questions while reducing radiation exposure. Finally, the book discusses all the possible settings in which lung ultrasound can be used, discipline by discipline and condition by condition. Lung Ultrasound in the Critically Ill comprehensively explains how ultrasound can become the stethoscope of modern medicine. It is a superb complement to the author’s previous book, Whole Body Ultrasonography in the Critically Ill.

This book covers all clinical aspects of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), from definition to treatment, focusing on the more recent recommendations and evidence-based medicine. The addressed topics are the various ventilation strategies, the impact of prone positioning, the use of partial and total extracorporeal support, the value of vasodilators, the weaning from mechanical ventilation, the pharmacological interventions, noninvasive ventilation, and the strategies using anti-inflammatory agents and stem cells. Furthermore, different related topics are also discussed, such as lung imaging, sedation, metabolic support, and hemodynamic instability. A concluding chapter specifically addresses ARDS in children. This up-to-date volume, written by experts in the field, will be of value for all health care practitioners seeking state of the art on the management of patients with this complex syndrome.

The ESC Textbook of Intensive and Acute Cardiovascular Care is the official textbook of the Acute Cardiovascular Care Association (ACVC) of the ESC. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are a major cause of premature death worldwide and a cause of loss of disability-adjusted life years. For most types of CVD early diagnosis and intervention are independent drivers of patient outcome. Clinicians must be properly trained and centres appropriately equipped in order to deal with these critically ill cardiac patients. This new updated edition of the textbook continues to comprehensively approach all the different issues relating to intensive and acute cardiovascular care and addresses all those involved in intensive and acute cardiac care, not only cardiologists but also critical care specialists, emergency physicians and healthcare professionals. The chapters cover the various acute cardiovascular diseases that need high quality intensive treatment as well as organisational issues, cooperation among professionals, and interaction with other specialities in medicine. SECTION 1 focusses on the definition, structure, organisation and function of ICCU's, ethical issues and quality of care. SECTION 2 addresses the pre-hospital and immediate in-hospital (ED) emergency cardiac care. SECTIONS 3-5 discuss patient monitoring, diagnosis and specific procedures. Acute coronary syndromes (ACS), acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF), and serious arrhythmias form SECTIONS 6-8. The main other cardiovascular acute conditions are grouped in SECTION 9. Finally SECTION 10 is dedicated to the many concomitant acute non-cardiovascular conditions that contribute to the patients' case mix in ICCU. This edition includes new chapters such as low cardiac output states and cardiogenic shock, and pacemaker and ICDs: troubleshooting and chapters have been extensively revised. Purchasers of the print edition will also receive an access code to access the online version of the textbook which includes additional figures, tables, and videos to better to better illustrate diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and procedures in IACC. The third edition of the ESC Textbook of Intensive and Acute Cardiovascular Care will establish a common basis of knowledge and a uniform and improved quality of care across the field.

This open access book focuses on diagnostic and interventional imaging of the chest, breast, heart, and vessels. It consists of a remarkable collection of contributions authored by internationally respected experts, featuring the most recent diagnostic developments and technological advances with a highly didactical approach. The chapters are disease-oriented and cover all the relevant imaging modalities, including standard radiography, CT, nuclear medicine with PET, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging, as well as imaging-guided interventions. As such, it presents a comprehensive review of current knowledge on imaging of the heart and chest, as well as thoracic interventions and a selection of "hot topics". The book is intended for radiologists, however, it is also of interest to clinicians in oncology, cardiology, and pulmonology.

During the past decade significant developments have been achieved in the field of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), enabling MRI to enter the clinical arena of chest imaging. Standard protocols can now be implemented on up-to-date scanners, allowing MRI to be used as a first-line imaging modality for various lung diseases, including cystic fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension and even lung cancer. The diagnostic benefits stem from the ability of MRI to visualize changes in lung structure while simultaneously imaging different aspects of lung function, such as perfusion, respiratory motion, ventilation and gas exchange. On this basis, novel quantitative surrogates for lung function can be obtained. This book provides a comprehensive overview of how to use MRI for imaging of lung disease. Special emphasis is placed on benign diseases requiring regular monitoring, given that it is patients with these diseases who derive the greatest benefit from the avoidance of ionizing radiation.

This reference surveys current best practices in the prevention and management of ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) and spans the many pathways and mechanisms of VILI including cell injury and repair, the modulation of alveolar-capillary barrier properties, and lung and systemic inflammatory consequences of injurous mechanical ventilation. Cons