Practical Emergency Resuscitation and Critical Care. By KaushalShah, JaroneLee, KamalMedlej, Scott D.Weingart. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2013; 478 pp; $72.00 (softcover).

Practical Emergency Resuscitation and Critical Care provides comprehensive instruction and review of acute resuscitation and care of the unstable and critically ill patient. The purpose of this text is to provide a practical, easy-to-read text containing evidence-based information on critical care management in the emergency department (ED) and intensive care unit (ICU). This book's content is unique in that it was written, researched, and edited by multiple critical care physicians with backgrounds from different specialties including emergency medicine, surgery, internal medicine, and anesthesia. Its format is easy to read, with multiple tables and graphs for easy reference. It is ideal for the busy clinician to access while managing these challenging patients. The book begins with an introduction by the author in which he states that it was designed for the medical student and junior resident. The comprehensive nature of this book also lends itself to practitioners at all levels of experience. The book starts with an abbreviations list and is followed by 12 sections that contain specific medical conditions that are commonly encountered. All chapters are organized in a similar fashion, although written by different authors. A brief introduction begins each chapter. This is followed by an in-depth discussion of the specific medical topic. The author then delves into special considerations for each medical condition. A special section that discusses the signs and symptoms of sudden deterioration concludes each chapter. Section I, “General Critical Care,” covers shock, which is one of the most challenging conditions a physician may encounter in a critical care setting. This chapter does an excellent job defining shock and providing easy-to-use tables on medications to manage the different types of shock. This section also discusses airway and mechanical ventilation management. Finally, the chapter closes with a section on boarding and transfer care of the critical patient from the ED to the ICU. Section II covers the broad topic of trauma and begins with patient stabilization. This section begins with the importance of obtaining the initial assessment from prehospital EMS providers. The next section details the specifics regarding the most common trauma scenarios and their specific management. Emphasis is placed on the signs and symptoms indicative of sudden clinical deterioration, with explanations of how to appropriately intervene. High-resolution diagnostic images can be found within this chapter detailing the most common types of internal injuries. Section III, “Neurological Emergencies,” covers four of the most important neurological diagnoses in critical care. Ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, status epilepticus, and acute spinal cord compression are explained in detail. This includes diagnosis, imaging, and management of each of these conditions. The NIH stroke scale is provided in a clear and concise format, which is ideal for quick reference. Ischemic heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States; for that reason a complete section is devoted to cardiovascular emergencies. Section IV includes acute coronary syndrome, rhythm abnormalities, hypertensive emergencies, aortic dissection, valvular diseases, and pericardial and myocardial diseases. There is also a complete chapter on post–cardiac arrest care and the hypothermia protocol. It is described in a bullet point style, which makes it easy to understand and follow in this time-sensitive situation. Electrocardiogram tracings of cardiac dysrhythmias and echocardiogram images are also included for completeness. Respiratory emergencies can be found in Section V, which covers the initial evaluation and management of patients presenting with airway emergencies. Common airway pathologies are summarized. Radiographs and computed tomography images are added as visual examples of these pathological conditions. Included is a table of the Canadian clinical prediction score for suspected pulmonary embolism for further reference. Gastrointestinal (GI) emergencies are covered in Section VI. This provides a comprehensive review on the essential GI emergencies, starting from esophageal perforations to abdominal compartment syndrome. The introduction of each chapter contains mortality rates of each of these GI emergencies. There is also a review of the anatomy and physiology of the organ involved. The clinical presentation of each condition is explained and the specific management is reviewed. Illustrative diagnostic images are added to complete the diagnostic section. The author also includes essential tables and diagrams to support the diagnosis and management of these conditions. Renal emergencies are located in Section VII. This starts with a basic approach for arterial blood gas interpretation. It then continues by describing acid–base disturbances and the management of electrolyte abnormalities. Types of emergent dialysis are reviewed for those patients suffering acute kidney injury. Since rhabdomyolysis can cause serious complications within the renal system, there is a chapter dedicated to this condition and its management. Included in this chapter are helpful tables differentiating traumatic versus nontraumatic etiologies of rhabdomyolysis. Section VIII guides the reader through hematologic and oncologic emergencies. It begins with the epidemiology of anticoagulant use in the United States. This section continues by describing various coagulopathic disorders that can occur in the critically ill patient. This is followed by essential oncology emergencies, such as neutropenic fever and tumor lysis syndrome. Laboratory findings and their implications in the management and treatment of these rare conditions are also discussed. An informative table on appropriate antibiotic regimens for the neutropenic fever is also found in this chapter. This section concludes with a chapter on sickle cell disease emergencies. The authors discuss the key signs and symptoms related to the presentation of this condition and the critical actions that are required for effective treatment. Section IX, “Infectious Disease Emergencies,” begins with the definitions of sepsis, severe sepsis, and septic shock, which reinforces these critical concepts from Section I. Common sources of infections that occur in the critically ill are summarized. Pneumonia, meningitis, encephalitis, infective endocarditis, and skin and soft tissue infections are described thoroughly. A discussion of complications, opportunistic infections, and their treatment in HIV and AIDS patients is provided in an easy to read table. Section X, “Endocrine Emergencies,” highlights the complications of these common diseases. Diabetic ketoacidosis, nonketotic hyperglycemic hyperosmolar state, and thyroid imbalance are explained in detail. The author provides extensive insight with reference to evidence-based management strategies. Environmental emergencies can be found in Section XI. Rare conditions are discussed including anaphylaxis, hyperthermia, and hypothermia. A comprehensive multiorgan system approach is outlined for these conditions. The authors also added a chapter on common overdoses, with tables containing clinical presentations of specific substances and their respective treatments. End-of-life issues are the subject of Section XII, in which palliative care, ethics, and organ donation are reviewed in detail. This chapter provides excellent insight and discussion on this subject matter, which is often difficult for clinicians. Practical Emergency Resuscitation and Critical Care is a comprehensive guide for practitioners of all levels. It provides fundamental clinical knowledge on critically ill patients in the ED where care begins. It covers essential medical topics supplemented with tables, graphs, and diagnostic images and includes evidence-based medicine treatment descriptions. The organization is unique in that it can be used as an adjunct to learning how to manage these various medical conditions, as well as a reference for the more experienced provider. This book will make a great addition to the library of any clinician who manages critically ill patients. One recommendation would be to format this book for the electronic tablet or smart phone—it would make this a must-have for bedside consultation. Overall, this text is an invaluable resource for providers in critical care medical management.

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