Platelets and Plasma
Platelets and Plasma This chapter begins with a description of thrombocytopenia and platelet therapy in critically ill patients, and then focuses on the transfusion of plasma products, including recommendations for…
Anemia and Erythrocyte Transfusions
Anemia and Erythrocyte Transfusions Anemia is almost universal in patients who spend a few days in the ICU (1), and about 50% of ICU patients receive erythrocyte transfusions to alleviate…
Colloid and Crystalloid Resuscitation
Colloid and Crystalloid Resuscitation This chapter presents the variety of crystalloid and colloid fluids available for use, and describes the salient features of these fluids, both individually and as a…
Systemic Infection and Inflammation
Systemic Infection and Inflammation The most significant discovery in critical care in the past 20–30 years is the prominent role played by inflammation in the pathogenesis of multiorgan dysfunction in…
Acute Heart Failure(s)
Acute Heart Failure(s) Heart failure is not a single entity, and is classified according to the portion of the cardiac cycle that is affected (systolic or diastolic heart failure) and…
Hemorrhage and Hypovolemia
Hemorrhage and Hypovolemia The circulatory system operates with a relatively small volume and a volume-responsive pump. This is an energy-efficient design, but it quickly falters when volume is lost. While…
Systemic Oxygenation
Systemic Oxygenation One of the fundamental goals of critical care management is to promote tissue oxygenation, yet it is not possible to monitor tissue oxygen levels in a clinical setting….
The Pulmonary Artery Catheter
The Pulmonary Artery Catheter This chapter presents the spectrum of hemodynamic parameters that can be monitored with pulmonary artery catheters. The clinical applications of these parameters are described in future…
Venous Thromboembolism
Venous Thromboembolism This chapter presents the current practices for the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (venous thromboembolism or VTE). The major focus is on prevention,…
Alimentary Prophylaxis
Alimentary Prophylaxis This chapter describes the following preventive practices in the alimentary tract (which extends from the mouth to the rectum): Gastric acid suppression to prevent bleeding from stress ulcers….
