Clinical Management Of Shock

Shock is a physiological state of war! From a healthcare provider perspective, the word “shock” is associated with a mixed array of feelings, including dread, well-founded fear, and deep respect. The physiological state of shock is well recognized for the associated destructive consequences, and its successful management requires prompt identification, immediate action, and sustained effort by all members of the healthcare team. This mindset of advanced preparation and constant readiness constitutes the foundation of the modern approach toward shock – early detection and prompt treatment for optimal outcomes. Despite the heterogeneity of “shock” as a clinico-pathological entity, there are some common threads that permeate all forms and manifestations of shock, with apparent increase in observed commonalities in the more advanced (and often irreversible) stages of the systemic syndrome. When faced with shock, the body and its systems do their best to compensate for the maldistribution of oxygen and nutrients. This is known as the so-called compensated shock. Beyond that, the body loses its ability to adjust any further, thus descending into “uncompensated shock,” with a refractory state characterized by vasoplegia and irreversible cardiovascular failure. As the reader journeys through the chapters of the book, he or she will read about various biomarkers and endpoints of resuscitation, explore different types of shock (e.g., septic, hemorrhagic, anaphylactic) and learn about some of the less often discussed topics such as neurogenic and spinal shock, as well as the amniotic fluid embolism. Our goals were to keep things clinically relevant and practically oriented, thus enabling the reader to apply the newly acquired knowledge in their everyday clinical routines. As the reader progresses through the book, we hope to help stimulate further discourse and innovative thinking about the topic. In this context, it is critical that basic, translational, and clinical research on shock continues to advance. Only through ongoing scientific progress can we help improve outcomes for patients with both rare and common forms of shock.

This practical guide to the management of emergency situations in everyday clinical practice contains details on how to treat acute medical emergencies and how to provide treatment for the patient while awaiting specialist help.

This book is designed to offer the reader first-rate guidance on shock management in the real world. Comprehensive, evidence-based, and up-to-date instruction is provided on optimal care of patients with different types of shock – septic, hemorrhagic, cardiogenic, anaphylactic, and obstructive – at all stages from initial response through to ICU admission. As well as management, the coverage encompasses pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and emerging trends. A further key feature is the use of a scenario-based approach to present a series of cases based on real-life experiences. Here, a narrative style and Q&A form are employed to vividly convey scenarios that may be encountered in clinical practice and to elucidate decision making in complex circumstances. When readers experience difficulty in answering the questions, the earlier sections can be consulted to identify the correct response. This book will be of great value for all health care professionals. In particular, it will be very helpful for novice or inexperienced practitioners in emergency medicine, critical care medicine, and traumatology.

Handbook of ICU Therapy provides rapid access to important information on the treatment of the critically ill patient. It comprises a series of 'cutting edge' reviews of the most advanced treatment concepts available in the modern ICU. Whilst assuming a basic knowledge of underlying conditions, it nonetheless outlines key physiological principles where necessary, and critically reviews current literature and best practice. The heart of the book is aimed at providing key practical information on treatment techniques to the busy clinician in an easily accessible style. In addition to conventional drug therapy, ventilator, fluid and physical therapies are also discussed in detail. All of the authors are directly involved in ICU research and practice and are familiar with all of the latest developments in this fast-moving field of medicine.

Now in paperback, the second edition of the Oxford Textbook of Critical Care is a comprehensive multi-disciplinary text covering all aspects of adult intensive care management. Uniquely this text takes a problem-orientated approach providing a key resource for daily clinical issues in the intensive care unit. The text is organized into short topics allowing readers to rapidly access authoritative information on specific clinical problems. Each topic refers to basic physiological principles and provides up-to-date treatment advice supported by references to the most vital literature. Where international differences exist in clinical practice, authors cover alternative views. Key messages summarise each topic in order to aid quick review and decision making. Edited and written by an international group of recognized experts from many disciplines, the second edition of the Oxford Textbook of Critical Careprovides an up-to-date reference that is relevant for intensive care units and emergency departments globally. This volume is the definitive text for all health care providers, including physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, and other allied health professionals who take care of critically ill patients.

Advanced Perioperative Crisis Management is a high-yield, clinically-relevant resource for understanding the epidemiology, pathophysiology, assessment, and management of a wide variety of perioperative emergencies. Three introductory chapters review a critical thinking approach to the unstable or pulseless patient, crisis resource management principles to improve team performance and the importance of cognitive aids in adhering to guidelines during perioperative crises. The remaining sections cover six major areas of patient instability: cardiac, pulmonary, neurologic, metabolic/endocrine, and toxin-related disorders, and shock states, as well as specific emergencies for obstetrical and pediatric patients. Each chapter opens with a clinical case, followed by a discussion of the relevant evidence. Case-based learning discussion questions, which can be used for self-assessment or in the classroom, round out each chapter. Advanced Perioperative Crisis Management is an ideal resource for trainees, clinicians, and nurses who work in the perioperative arena, from the operating room to the postoperative surgical ward.