Faust’s Anesthesiology Review, 6th Edition

By: Terrence L. Trentman, MD; Brantley D. Gaitan, MD; Bhargwavi Gali, MD; Rebecca L. Johnson, MD; Jeffrey T. Mueller, MD; Ross J. Renew, MD

ISBN: 9780323879163

Pub Date: November 19, 2023

Reviewed By:  Zachary M. Lans, MD (Yale School of Medicine)

Description 

The book provides a comprehensive overview of topics within anesthesiology in an organized and concise manner. The subject matter ranges from foundational topics such as monitoring techniques to more advanced topics, including anesthesia for various transplant surgeries. All of the subspecialties within anesthesia are covered in depth as well. There are numerous figures throughout the text, including algorithmic guides and realistic anatomical illustrations to help consolidate the information. The previous edition was published in 2019 and this edition includes up-to-date and pertinent information regarding anesthetic management during a pandemic, and guidance for any future pandemics so that readers are better prepared for these situations should they arise. In addition, sustainability, a rising topic of interest in anesthesia, is covered in detail. 

Purpose 

The purpose of this book is to provide a comprehensive overview of anesthesia topics for both providers and trainees. It serves to both improve practice and to review for anesthesiology standardized examinations. The book appropriately addresses these important objectives. This is a vital resource as there are few resources that accomplish similar objectives. The print and online versions are both valuable. The online version includes search and bookmarking features which aid in navigating the text. The included videos are useful in demonstrating complex topics. The book and website meet the objectives exceedingly well. The breadth of topics covered reflects the wide variety of subjects that the modern anesthesiologist needs to master. Further, there is an emphasis on quality improvement and adapting to the changes happening in modern medicine, which are pertinent to providers of all levels. 

Audience 

The target audience includes anesthesiologists and anesthesiology residents. The subject matter is appropriate for this audience. In addition, it can be a useful resource to anyone interested in topics within anesthesiology, including physicians of other specialties. The book successfully meets the needs of its audience. The array of subjects in the book makes it a useful tool for anesthesia providers of all levels. This edition is authored by numerous contributors, many of whom are affiliated with Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. Many of these contributors are highly acclaimed anesthesiologists who are leaders in the field and have contributed extensively to anesthesiology via publications. 

Features 

This book covers a wide array of subjects within anesthesiology, including physiology, pharmacology, operating room environment, specifics of anesthesiology subspecialties, and practical subjects within anesthesiology. The strongest aspects of this edition include the in-depth pharmacology chapters, the cardiac anesthesiology chapters, and any subjects that focus on anatomy. The anatomical illustrations are excellent. In addition, the “Anesthesia for Unique Situations” is particularly helpful for understanding situations that providers encounter infrequently. The book could have covered certain topics such as lung transplantation in greater detail. However, this comes with the tradeoff of sacrificing conciseness for a subject that is not relevant to a significant portion of the audience. This edition comes with an accompanying online component, with a complete ebook. The ebook contains an effective search function and hyperlinks, which allow for easy navigation. 

There are also video resources available, which further demonstrate complex topics such as transesophageal echocardiography during transcatheter mitral valve replacement. 

Assessment 

This is an excellent resource that provides high-quality information that is relevant to the practice of anesthesia. The subject matter is pertinent to training examinations and for improving practice. This title is unique in that it covers both foundational topics and advanced topics. Compared to some of the commonly utilized textbooks by anesthesiology trainees like Morgan and Mikhail’s Clinical Anesthesiology, 7th Edition, Butterworth et. al. (McGraw Hill, 2002) and Miller’s Anesthesia, 9th Edition, Gropper et. al. (Elsevier, 2019) the information in this book is more concise albeit less comprehensive in terms of foundational topics. However, the scope of this book is more expansive, including a wide variety of topics that many foundational books do not cover. The list of further reading materials at the end of each chapter provides directions for the reader who would like additional information. This is a superb resource for anesthesia providers at all levels looking for a single book with information on virtually all major subjects within anesthesiology. This new edition is justified with updated information on navigating a pandemic, information on sustainability in anesthesiology, and practice management subjects which are constantly changing. 

©Doody’s Review Service, 2024, Zachary M Lans, MD (Yale School of Medicine), 

Doody’s Score: 94 – 4 Stars! 

Purchase your copy of Faust’s Anesthesiology Review, 6th Edition here!