Algorithms in Critical Care Medicine

Emergency clinical medicine and intensive care are areas where complex conditions present with overlapping clinical manifestations. Symptoms of several life-threatening conditions are often similar, while the therapeutic options are diametrically opposite. Understanding the variability is crucial for quick initiation of appropriate therapy at the right time.In medical emergencies, an algorithmic approach to investigations, differential diagnosis and treatment is often adopted. It is regularly the case that the endpoint of one algorithm results in clinical conditions which themselves need another algorithmic approach. Subsequently, there is a need for all algorithms to end seamlessly and lead to destination algorithms.This book seeks to fill the gap that exists in providing seamless algorithms. Its algorithms begin with a syndromic approach, and lead to disease specific algorithms.These algorithms have been curated and edited by senior practitioners in intensive care who, with their years of teaching and work experience, have translated clinical science into a practical framework.This collection of algorithms will be of help in emergency rooms, high-dependency units, and intensive care units, as well as any location or facility where patients with acute presentations are cared for.