Oxford University Press

What do anaesthetists do? How does anaesthesia work? What are the risks? And how does the anaesthetist know if you are really asleep? Anaesthesia is a mysterious and sometimes threatening process. In this Very Short Introduction, Aidan O'Donnell takes the reader on a tour through the whole of the modern anaesthetic practice. He begins by explaining general anaesthesia: what it is, how it is produced, and how it differs from natural sleep and other forms of unconsciousness. He goes on to consider the main categories of anaesthetic drugs, including anaesthetic vapours, intravenous agents, muscle relaxants, and analgesics, together with explanations of how they work and what their purpose is. Set against the historical background of anaesthetic and surgical practice, O'Donnell examines the large role anaesthetists play in specialised areas such as intensive care medicine, pain medicine, and childbirth; and finally, he considers the risks of anaesthesia, putting in to context that anaesthesia is a very safe process. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

The award winning 'New Oxford Textbook of Psychiatry' is one of the leading reference works in this field. Bringing together over 200 chapters from the leading figures in the discipline, it presents a comprehensive account of clinical psychiatry, with reference to its scientific basis and to the patient's perspective throughout

The Oxford Handbook of Clinical Pathology provides an accessible and easy-to-use handbook for medical students and doctors, which succinctly explains the pathology behind important and common diseases relevant to the whole range of medical and surgical specialties. It covers basic general pathological principles and follows a systems-based approach, highlighting the most common conditions in each area. Macroscopic and microscopic pathological features are described, as well as relevant immunohistochemical, molecular, and genetic information. Up-to-date staging information is provided for all major malignancies, and reference symbols are used to highlight important points and provide quick links between related topics. This essential guide to pathology is an invaluable resource for medical students, pathology trainees, junior doctors, and biomedical scientists.

Now fully updated for a second edition, the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Pharmacy remains the indispensible guide to clinical pharmacy, providing all the information needed for practising and student pharmacists. Presenting handy practical guidance in a quick-reference, bullet-point format, it will supply the knowledge and confidence you need to provide a clinical pharmacy service. The handbook includes information on controlled drugs, adverse drug reactions, interactions, communication skills, and confidentiality. It also features chapters on adherence, anaphylaxis, clinical trials, herbal medicines, patient management, pharmaceutical calculations, research, policy, and therapy related issues. Palliative care sections have been expanded to include symptom management and end-of-life pathways. Other new sections such as pharmacogenetics, thyroid disorders, and domiciliary oxygen therapy have been included. Complementing the current British National Formulary guidelines, the handbook gives prescribing points and linked concepts of relevance to clinical pharmacists. The content is evidence-based and contains a wealth of information from the authors' many years of clinical pharmacy experience.

The past 30 years have seen the field of clinical neuropsychology grow to become an influential discipline within mainstream clinical psychology and an established component of most professional courses. It remains one of the fastest growing specialities within mainstream clinical psychology, neurology, and the psychiatric disciplines. Substantially updated to take account of these rapid developments, the new edition of this successful handbook provides a practical guide for those interested in the professional application of neuropsychological approaches and techniques in clinical practice. With chapters by leading specialists, it demonstrates the contribution that neuropsychological approaches can make to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of a range of brain disorders, as well as addressing the special considerations when treating children and the elderly. As before, the book is divided into 10 sections, covering everything from methodological and conceptual issues, developmental and paediatric neuropsychology, funcional neuroanatomy, and the historical context. Throughout, the content draws on contemporary neuroscientific techniques, focusing on the methods of functional imaging, cognitive psychology, cognitive neuropsychology, neuropsychiatry and cognitive rehabilitation. It also provides background information on laboratory and research techniques, as well as covering relevant neurology and psychiatry. The book will be essential for trainee neuropsychologists, students and teachers in the clinical and cognitive neurosciences/psychology, neurobiologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons and psychiatrists.

The effective management of pain from cancer is a top priority for patients, carers and healthcare professionals, and has been the subject of extensive research. Approximately two-thirds of cancer patients will experience severe pain, and many of them will have more than one pain. However, because of the increasing number of available treatments for cancer, patients are surviving for longer periods, and are developing complex consequences of their cancer and its treatment, such as central and peripheral neuropathic pain syndromes. Approximately 8 - 10% of cancer pain remains unrelieved by conventional means. Interventional cancer pain management implies the use of invasive techniques, such as neuraxial (epidural, intrathecal and intracerebroventricular) drug administration, brachial and lumbar plexus blocks, autonomic blockade, neurolytic blocks and cordotomy. It can also include TENS, acupuncture and complementary therapies. This book describes specifically the difficult pain problems that are now faced in palliative care and highlights the need for greater collaboration between the disciplines of pain medicine and palliative care. It refers to the psychological and spiritual needs of patients, and provides patient experience data on specialist techniques. The book is an invaluable resource for all healthcare professionals working in palliative care, pain management, and primary care to inform them about the range of interventional techniques available, with evidence of efficacy, side effects and management advice.

Practical and based on the latest clinical evidence and guidelines, the Oxford Handbook of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is the definitive guide for anyone working in oral and maxillofacial departments (OMFS) or covering the specialty during their surgical rotation. Concise and bulleted, this handbook is broken down into easy-to-read chunks based on daily duties. Sections such as In Theatre and In Clinic cover all the common complaints you will see there, and give vital information for surviving any situation. The handbook also contains sections covering emergencies, presenting syndromes and commonly-used drugs and dental materials. With OMFS now part of the Core Training programme for surgical trainees, this handbook will ensure you have a solid grasp of the basics and fundamentals, and have the confidence to deal with all oral and maxillofacial presentations, practices, and procedures. All junior doctors, specialist nurses, and medical students will find this rapid-reference handbook easy to use, and a vital companion for both study and practice.

Respiratory disease is the most common reason for admission to intensive care, and advanced respiratory support is one of the most frequently used interventions in critically ill patients. A clear understanding of respiratory disease is the cornerstone of high quality intensive care. Although a plethora of literature is available, both in print and online, finding the necessary relevant information can be difficult and time consuming. This handbook provides comprehensive clinical detail in an easily readable format. It is written by practising clinicians and has both in-depth theoretical discussion and practical management advice. The book is divided into sections: Section 1 deals with the approach to the patient with respiratory failure - including pathophysiology, investigation and diagnosis Sections 2 covers non invasive treatment modalities Sections 3 and 4 examine invasive ventilation in detail. Section 3 considers the principles of mechanical ventilation while section 4 deals with individual ventilator modes Section 5 discusses the management of the ventilated patient including sedation, monitoring, asynchrony, heart - lung interaction, hypercapnia and hypoxia, complications, weaning and extubation. It also has chapters on areas less frequently covered such as humidification, suction, tracheal tubes and principles of physiotherapy Section 6 is a comprehensive breakdown of each respiratory condition seen in ICU. This book is designed to bridge the gap between Intensive Care starter texts and all-encompassing reference textbooks. It is aimed at consultants and senior trainees in Intensive Care Medicine, senior ICU nursing staff, consultants in other specialties and allied healthcare professionals who have an interest in advanced respiratory critical care.

Cardiac Mechano-Electric Coupling and Arrhythmias offers a thoroughly reviewed compendium written by leading experts in the field on the mechanism and consequences of cardiac mechano-electrical coupling. Its coverage ranges from stretch-activated ion channels to mechanically induced arrhythmias and mechanical interventions for heart rhythm correction. Information is grouped into logical sections, from molecular mechanisms, to cell, tissue and whole organ responses, right through to patient-based observations and insight emerging from clinical trials. The information provided carefully highlights both consensus insight and current shortcomings in our understanding of cardiac mechano-electric coupling. The book has been thoroughly revised and expanded since publication of the first edition in 2005, extensively updated to reflect recent developments in the field, and now offers a more balanced view of mechano-electrical interactions in the heart and develops a more clinical focus. Written with the practising cardiologist and junior doctor in mind, it offers interesting new insight for the established physician with an interest in cardiac arrhythmogenesis and heart rhythm management.

Although the incidence of coronary heart disease is falling, its major complication, heart failure, is increasing in frequency. All health care practitioners will encounter patients with heart failure, presenting either acutely or in need of chronic heart failure management. However with recent advances in medical therapy, the prognosis of the condition has improved dramatically so that whereas once heart failure was a pre-terminal diagnosis, now for many it is treatable. Taking the reader from an understanding of the basic mechanisms of heart failure through to an appreciation of the complexities of heart failure management and the remarkable improvements possible with good treatment, this definitive textbook is written by internationally renowned leaders in their field and comprehensively covers all aspects necessary to manage a patient with heart failure. In full colour throughout, containing over 300 illustrations, and supported by detailed referencing from the huge evidence base that has developed over the last two decades, Oxford Textbook of Heart Failure also includes extensive chapters on common co-morbidities, and will be essential reading for consultant cardiologists and those in training, general physicians and those caring of the elderly, cardiothoracic surgeons, primary care doctors, pharmacists, and specialist nurses. The printed edition is complemented by 6 months free access to an online version (also available for separate purchase on subscription basis), allowing users to search the text, and download the figures for use in PowerPoint presentations.

Thoracic anaesthesia is regarded as a post fellowship sub-speciality within anaesthesia, and can be daunting. This handbook provides an easily accessible, informative, and palatable guide to this often complex subject. The text is sub-divided into basic sciences, pre-operative assessment, diagnostic procedures, and an anaesthetist's walk-through of key thoracic surgical procedures. It concludes with an emergency section covering thoracic anaesthesia emergencies, critical care, and the thoracic surgical patient, and ends with essential guidance on the relevant practical procedures necessary to manage cases. The text provides an essential reference for the core curriculum of the Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaesthetists and for the day-to-day practice of post fellowship anaesthetists alike. The discussions of the surgical procedures are simple, highlighting the poignant stages that can affect the anaesthetic management of the patient. The authors use the very latest evidence in order to keep the reader up to speed with developments in the field. Whether on-call, running day-to-day lists or working within critical care, this indispensable guidebook will optimise the preparedness of all staff in dealing with any case, whether simple or complex.

The Oxford Handbook of Pain Management is the essential resource for all clinicians involved in the management of pain. Organised into sections dealing with basic principles of treatment, therapeutic interventions, including non-medical management of pain, and specific clinical situations, the Handbook emphasises the multimodal treatment options available for patients with pain conditions and brings them together to provide a truly biopsychosocial approach to management. Covering both chronic and acute pain, it will help the practitioner to choose the right treatment for the right patient at the right time.

Many heart conditions are inherited and if not diagnosed and managed appropriately place the patient at risk of blackouts, weakening of the heart, or sudden death.While individually uncommon, inherited diseases of the cardiovascular system collectively represent a major health burden. Current recommendations suggest that individuals and families affected by inherited cardiovascular diseases should have access to specialist care in the form of multidisciplinary teams, with particular knowledge and experience in the diagnosis and management of these conditions. As a result, multidisciplinary services for inherited cardiovascular diseases, involving cardiologists, clinical geneticists, specialist nurses and genetic counsellors, are being developed throughout Europe. Inherited Cardiac Disease provides healthcare specialists involved in the diagnosis and treatment of inherited cardiovascular disorders with a clinically relevant summary of genetic diseases and readily accessible information that can be used in everyday practice. Containing summaries of most common inherited cardiovascular disorders and describing cardiomyopathies, inherited arrhythmia syndromes, and other inherited cardiovascular syndromes with a focus on aetiology, presentation and management, it also provides the non-specialist with a detailed knowledge of inherited cardiovascular diseases, from the fundamentals of molecular biology and genetic testing to the detailed clinical information relevant to patient management.

There has been a huge increase in the knowledge and understanding of the immunological processes involved in surgical practice in recent years. Anaesthesiologists and intensive care physicians are increasingly recognising the significant derangements of immune function in the critically ill patient and the possible therapeutic approaches to manage such patients (including new approaches in transplantation rejections, novel vaccination strategies in cancer treatment, as well as a better understanding of the beneficial effects of standard chemotherapy). Written by recognised experts in their field from both the UK and the US, and extensively referenced for further reading, Essential Immunology for Surgeons provides a concise, up-to-date, and readable account of immunology in general and its translation into key areas of clinical practice. It provides the necessary foundation for a critical understanding of this essential and rapidly expanding area of biological science that underpins and explains the modern concepts of a range of diseases and conditions, encompassing autoimmunity, infection, trauma, cancer, nutrition, organ transplantation, and various forms of therapy. Previously published as Immunological Basis for Surgical Science and Practice, this fully-updated textbook is aimed predominantly at the surgical trainee, but will also be of value to undergraduate and postgraduate clinicians of any discipline who wish to have a better understanding and knowledge of the subject, as well as to researchers studying the various core topics discussed in the book.