Tracheostomy
Tracheostomy Scott E. Kopec Timothy A. Emhoff Although reports of performing tracheostomy date back to the first century BC [1], it was not performed regularly until the 1800s when used…
Arterial Puncture for Blood Gas Analysis
Arterial Puncture for Blood Gas Analysis Kimberly A. Robinson Richard S. Irwin Analysis of a sample of arterial blood for pHa, partial arterial carbon dioxide pressure (PaCO2), partial arterial oxygen…
Thoracentesis
Thoracentesis Mark M. Wilson Richard S. Irwin Thoracentesis is an invasive procedure that involves the introduction of a needle, cannula, or trocar into the pleural space to remove accumulated fluid…
Bronchoscopy
Bronchoscopy Stephen J. Krinzman Paulo J. Oliveira Richard S. Irwin Since its commercial introduction for clinical use in 1968, flexible bronchoscopy has had a dramatic impact on the approach and…
Chest Tube Insertion and Care
Chest Tube Insertion and Care Ulises Torres Robert A. Lancy Chest tube insertion involves placement of a sterile tube into the pleural space to evacuate air or fluid into a…
Pericardiocentesis
Pericardiocentesis Craig S. Smith Richard C. Becker Pericardiocentesis is a potentially life-saving procedure performed in the critical care setting. In contrast to other cardiac conditions, however, there is a paucity…
Cardioversion and Defibrillation
Cardioversion and Defibrillation Mark S. Link Naomi F. Botkin The use of electric shock to terminate arrhythmia is one of the critical findings of the last century and underlies much…
Pulmonary Artery Catheters
Pulmonary Artery Catheters Harvey S. Reich Since their introduction into clinical practice in 1970 by Swan et al. [1], balloon-tipped, flow-directed pulmonary artery (PA) catheters have found widespread use in…
Temporary Cardiac Pacing
Temporary Cardiac Pacing Seth T. Dahlberg Temporary cardiac pacing may be urgently required for the treatment of cardiac conduction and rhythm disturbances commonly seen in patients treated in the intensive…
Arterial Line Placement and Care
Arterial Line Placement and Care Jason Lee-Llacer Michael G. Seneff Arterial catheterization remains an extremely important skill for critical care physicians. The most common indications for inserting an arterial catheter…
