Reviewer: Kristin Colling, MD (Regions Hospital)
Description: This case-based review of critical care medicine provides an overview of numerous ICU diseases, with discussion of management based on the current literature.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide a review of a wide range of critical care topics. Each is presented as a clinical vignette, followed by discussion of the pathophysiology of each disease process and evidence-based current management.
Audience: The ideal audience is students, residents, and fellows reviewing critical care. Topics include a wide spectrum of critical care diseases, and highlight the most important aspects of the management of each, but it is not a comprehensive source.
Features: Each of the book's 45 chapters follows a clear outline an introduction, a case presentation, a discussion regarding diagnosis, current management guidelines and other high-yield learning points, brief conclusions, and, lastly, bulleted key learning points. The case reports range from brief presentations to detailed descriptions of the patient's course. Some chapters have longer case reports than discussions on management, which at times leads to an unbalanced feeling in the chapter, providing more information on progression of disease than its management. Each chapter can stand alone, thereby allowing readers to choose a topic and review it quickly. A large variety of topics is covered in this book, and they are not presented in any specific order. Cardiac topics include heart failure, valvular disease, and post-cardiac arrest management. Ventilator management, acute lung injury, pneumonia, and pulmonary hypertension are some of the pulmonary pathologies discussed. Chapters devoted to surgical issues include trauma, burns, abdominal compartment syndrome, necrotizing soft tissue infections, and massive hemorrhage. Other topics include management of overdoses, glucose and endocrine emergencies, nutrition and refeeding syndrome, as well as pre-eclampsia. Chapters are clearly written with current references by leaders in each field. The illustrations are clear and enhance the text. The table of contents describes each topic and lists authors. The subject index is clear and easy to use to find a topic.
Assessment: This is a welcome addition to a trainee's resources when reviewing critical care management. It can be used as a quick review of major topics, with high-yield, evidence-based discussions of each topic. It is not meant as a comprehensive review, but rather as a starting point for further reading or a last minute review resource.
'This book is a good collection of relevant and interesting case studies, pragmatic discussions, and appropriate references for further education. The cases described may be familiar or unfamiliar to the reader, allowing both learning of new material and consolidation of previously reviewed topics … I enjoyed reading this book and found it a useful reference. I would recommend it not only to individuals preparing for ICM examinations, but also as an educational source for all professionals looking after critically ill patients, and as a refresher for experienced intensive care physicians.' Mika Hamilton, Canadian Journal of Anesthesia
'In conclusion, Case Studies in Adult Intensive Care Medicine provides a concise and accurate description of key topics relevant to intensive care medicine. This book is recommended for students who are preparing for exams in intensive care medicine and physicians who seek a clinically oriented approach to the diagnosis and management of critical illnesses.' Houssein A. Youness and Jean I. Keddissi, Anestheisa & Analgesia