Critical Care Nephrology, 3rd Edition

By Claudio Ronco, MD

ISBN: 9780323449427

Pub Date: Dec 6, 2017

Reviewed by: Paul Adams, BS MD (University of Kentucky College of Medicine)

Description

This is the third edition of a comprehensive review of acute and chronic kidney disease in a critical care setting. This edition includes access to an electronic version.

Purpose

The purpose is to provide an extensive, evidence-based review of critical care topics, nephrology topics, and their intersection. The book works a dual resource for both nephrologists and intensivists, but is most suitable for nephrologists with a special interest in critical care. It provides an advanced fund of knowledge for nephrologists wishing to focus on their patients with cardiovascular disease.

Audience

The audience includes both nephrology and intensive care physicians. The advanced content requires an existing foundation of general nephrology knowledge and experience. However, the book does provide extensive basic physiology and pathophysiology information. It is appropriate for practicing nephrologists or trainees looking for more specialized knowledge.

Features

The book serves as an overview of relevant critical care topics such as shock and ventilator management, while providing extensive details about nephrology problems encountered in an ICU. Chapters vary between basic physiology and relevant bedside practices. Depending on the chapter and topic, the book can be used as a gold-standard reference or a quick update for a specific question.

Chapters are well organized and information is well supported by current literature and seems appropriately up to date. The figures and tables well designed and well placed, providing additional insight. Diagnosis and treatment algorithms are strong graphical features. The end of each chapter provides a summary with key points. An electronic copy of the book is also included, allowing mobile reference and searchable text.

Assessment

This is an excellent source of in-depth information on the intersection between critical illness and nephrology, making it a useful resource for practicing nephrologists or trainees about to enter practice given today’s increasing acuity and use of the ICU. The comprehensive review of evidence is well cited, with many chapters written by recognizable field leaders, and well organized into intuitive sections. While it is a large book, its many chapters help compartmentalize information and it would work well as a quick reference guide once readers are familiar with its content. The electronic version is a nice addition and helps readers quickly search its content, but is not required.

Overall, this book is an extensive and accessible review of current intensive care nephrology and would serve as an excellent resource for clinicians looking to expand their knowledge on an increasingly common intersection of practice.

Doody’s Review Service Weighted Numerical Score: 93 – 4 Stars!