Textbook of Critical Care, 8th Edition

By: Jean-Louis Vincent, Frederick Moore, Rinaldo Bellomo, John J. Marini 

ISBN: 9780323759298

Pub Date: February 10, 2023

Reviewed By: David James Dries, MSE, MD (Regions Hospital)

Description 

This book is one of the standard comprehensive texts in critical care medicine. This eighth edition is the most recent version of the book, which was originally released in 1984. 

Purpose 

This extensive book aims to offer multidisciplinary insight into the management of adult and pediatric patients in the critical care setting. It emphasizes procedural expertise in critical care with particular regard to organ system assessment through diagnostic ultrasound, and recent developments in organ system support provided by extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), renal replacement therapies, and ventricular assist devices. Much of this procedural information is located in a group of 22 chapters available online. 

Audience 

Trainees and staff intensivists of all degrees of experience will enjoy this book. The authors include innumerable experts in critical care medicine and surgery, affiliated with academic medical programs in the U.S. and Western Europe. They are best known for their work in teaching the broad practice of critical care and sepsis, management of surgical and pulmonary problems in the ICU, along with specific expertise in renal medicine. 

Features 

This beautifully organized book features 170 chapters divided into 15 parts, with an additional listing of topics available online. The initial chapters describe common problems resulting in ICU admission. Topics covered include a decline in mental status, hypoxemia, acute renal insufficiency and related metabolic disorders, abdominal pain, coagulopathy, acute hypertension, tachycardia, and bradycardia along with pulmonary edema. The second part emphasizes organ support, diagnostic technology, and monitoring. Topics featured include the renal replacement, mechanical ventilation, airway control, bedside ultrasound, and echocardiography along with ECMO. Subsequent chapter groups are organized by organ system, beginning with central nervous system problems, cardiopulmonary therapies, gastrointestinal diseases featuring acute hepatic compromise, renal and infectious problems, and hematology. Concluding chapter groups in the organ system portions of this book include hematology disorders, and infectious diseases, along with reviews on obstetrics in the ICU and endocrine disorders. One of the largest sections describes surgical and trauma patients. Trauma topics include resuscitation, burn injury, chest and abdominal insults, and various fractures. The final surgical chapters include presentations on brain death and organ donation. Concluding chapters cover administrative topics such as ethics, principles of ICU organization and leadership, telemedicine, and management of teaching programs. Each chapter is clearly written and concise, reflecting the expertise and clarity of the authors. The book effectively uses multicolored tables to emphasize important teaching points. While each chapter cites a large number of references, typically from the primary literature, the text chapters only include a brief list of annotated references at the conclusion of each presentation. Other references may be found in the online materials included in the book. Index materials include separate citations for figures and tables along with additional references to specific portions of the online resources. 

Assessment 

I am impressed at the scope and quality of content in this book, compiled by an international group of experts. Readers must optimize the use of online materials to obtain the greatest possible benefit from this collection of topics. The publisher must be acknowledged for the quality of print and online material, figures, tables, and other illustrations. This edition will help to define critical care medicine in the coming years. 

©Doody’s Review Service, 2023, David James Dries, MSE, MD (Regions Hospital)

Doody’s Score: 98 – 5 Stars! 

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