Each volume in the 'Advances' series focuses on topics that are most critical and clinically relevant to improving patient care. Experts write articles, and give the practitioner and student fresh, thorough viewpoints on the topic's significance.

This issue of Anesthesiology Clinics covers the latest updates in thoracic anesthesia written by the world-leading experts on the topic. Procedurally-focused articles cover best practices in anesthestic management of one-lung ventilation, airway stenting, esophagectomy, mediastinal biopsies, postthoracotomy atrial fibrillation, and more. Achieve the best outcomes and reduce risks and complications in your thoracic anesthesia practice.

This issue of Anesthesiology Clinics covers essential topics in the post anesthesia care unit. Management of pain, delirium, acute renal failure, arrhythmias, and several post anesthesia complications are covered. Both adult and pediatric issues are addressed.

Low back pain is one of the most common problems and leading causes of disability. This issue of Primary Care Clinics in Office Practice focuses on the burden of low back pain from diagnosis to treatment options and prevention with topics that include: surgical intervention, disability and low back pain: evaluation and determination, complementary and alternative medicine treatments, and interventional and non-interventional treatment of low back pain.

This issue of Anesthesiology Clinics provides essential updates in neurosurgical anesthesia. Topics include anesthesia for endovascular neurosurgery; interventional neuroradiology; neuroimaging; anesthetic management of patients with acute stroke; perioperative management of pediatric patients; anesthetic neurotoxicity; airway management in neuroanesthesiology; anesthetic considerations for awake craniotomy for epilepsy; perioperative uses of trans cranial perfusion monitoring; monitoring and introaoperative management of elevated ICP and decompressive craniectomy; electrophysiologic monitoring in neurosurgery; traumatic brain injury; perioperative pain management in the neurosurgical patient; controversies in neurosciences critical care; sleep and mechanisms of anesthesia; and impacts on outcome after neuroanesthesia.

The Year Book of Anesthesiology and Pain Management brings you abstracts of the articles that reported the year's breakthrough developments in anesthesiology, carefully selected from more than 500 journals worldwide. Expert commentaries evaluate the clinical importance of each article and discuss its application to your practice. Topics included are: Anesthesia-Related Pharmacology and Toxicology, Anesthesia Techniques and Monitors, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia, Pediatric Anesthesia, Obstetric Anesthesia, Pain Management, and Geriatric Medicine. The Year Book of Anesthesiology and Pain Management is published annually in June.

This issue of Anesthesiology Clinics brings the reader up to date on the most important advances in surgical palliative care for anesthesiology intensivists. Topics covered include recent trends and developments, palliative care of patients on high doses of narcotics, trauma in the surgical ICU, care of family in the surgical ICU, communication skills in palliative surgery, surgical palliative care in Haiti, and much more.

Reducing Risks and Complications of Interventional Pain Procedures - a volume in the new Interventional and Neuromodulatory Techniques for Pain Management series - presents state-of-the-art guidance on avoiding pitfalls and optimizing outcomes. Matthew Ranson, MD, Jason Pope, MD, and Richard Rauck, MD offer comprehensive, evidence-based advice on selecting and performing these techniques - as well as weighing relative risks and complications. With access to the fully searchable text at www.expertconsult.com , you'll have the detailed visual assistance you need right at your fingertips. Understand the rationale and scientific evidence for choosing the most effective drugs and techniques. Optimize outcomes, reduce complications, and minimize risks by adhering to current, evidence-based practice guidelines. Apply the newest techniques and latest knowledge in neuromodulation. Quickly find the information you need in a user-friendly format with strictly templated chapters supplemented with illustrative line drawings, images, and treatment algorithms. Access the fully searchable contents online at expertconsult.com. Improve patient safety and minimize risks with evidence-based, step-by-step guidance for interventional and neuromodulatory techniques

In this issue of Anesthesiology Clinics, Guest Editors Pratik Panharipande and Wesley Ely look at modern sedation techniques in the critically ill. Topics include pharmacology of commonly used analgesics and sedatives in the ICU (including benzodiazepines, propofol, and opioids); pharmacology of sedative-analgesic agents (including dexmedetomidine, remifentanil, ketamine, volatile anesthetics, and the role of peripheral mu antagonists); lessons learned from international surveys of current sedation practices; protocolized and target-based sedation and analgesia in the ICU; sedation and weaning from mechanical ventilation, linking spontaneous awakening trials and spontaneous breathing trials to improve patient outcomes; altering ICU sedation paradigms to improve patient outcomes; sedation and sleep disturbances; sedation and immunomodulation; pharmacoeconomics of sedation; prevention and treatment of adult and pediatric delirium; and cognitive functioning, mental health and quality of life in ICU survivors.

This cutting-edge issue of Anesthesiology Clinics is divided into two sections.? The first covers topics in perioperative clinical information systems (IS), including the following.? The anatomy of an anesthesia information management system; vendor and market landscape; impact of lexicons on adoption of an IS; clinical research using an IS, real-time alerts and reminders using an IS; shortcomings and challenges of IS adoption; creating a real return-on-investment for IS implementation (life after HITECH); Quality improvement using automated data sources and reporting; and opportunities and challenges of implementing an enterprise IS in the OR.? Section 2 is devoted to computers and covers the following topics.? Advanced integrated real-time clinical displays; enhancing point-of-care vigilance using computers; and computers in perioperative simulation and education.

Intrathecal Drug Delivery for Pain and Spasticity - a volume in the new Interventional and Neuromodulatory Techniques for Pain Management series - presents state-of-the-art guidance on the full range of intrathecal drug delivery techniques performed today. Asokumar Buvanendran, MD and Sudhir Diwan, M.D., M.S offer expert advice on a variety of procedures to treat chronic non-malignant pain, cancer pain, and spasticity. Comprehensive, evidence-based coverage on selecting and performing these techniques - as well as weighing relative risks and complications - helps you ensure optimum outcomes. With access to the fully searchable text at www.expertconsult.com, you'll have the detailed visual assistance you need right at your fingertips. Understand the rationale and scientific evidence behind intrathecal drug delivery techniques and master their execution. Optimize outcomes, reduce complications, and minimize risks by adhering to current, evidence-based practice guidelines. Apply the newest techniques in intrathecal pump placement, cancer pain management, use of baclofen pumps, and compounding drugs. Quickly find the information you need in a user-friendly format with strictly templated chapters supplemented with illustrative line drawings, images, and treatment algorithms. Access the fully searchable contents online at expertconsult.com. Series USP: Improve patient safety and minimize risks with evidence-based, step-by-step guidance for interventional and neuromodulatory techniques

Diagnosis, Management, and Treatment of Discogenic Pain - a volume in the new Interventional and Neuromodulatory Techniques for Pain Management series - presents state-of-the-art guidance on the full range of discogenic pain relief techniques performed today. Leonardo Kapural, MD and Philip Kim, MD offer expert advice on a variety of procedures to manage and treat discogenic pain. Comprehensive, evidence-based coverage on selecting and performing these techniques - as well as weighing relative risks and complications - helps you ensure optimum outcomes. With online access to the fully searchable text and procedural videos at www.expertconsult.com, you'll have the detailed visual assistance you need right at your fingertips. Understand the rationale and scientific evidence behind discogenic pain relief techniques and master their execution. Optimize outcomes, reduce complications, and minimize risks by adhering to current, evidence-based practice guidelines for treating discogenic pain, when to recommend interventional procedures, how to perform them safely, and how to manage chronic back pain in the long term. Apply the newest techniques in discography, radiofrequency and heat procedures, disc fusion, nucleus replacement, and interventions for disc herniation. See how it's done through step-by-step procedural videos on Expert Consult . Quickly find the information you need in a user-friendly format with strictly templated chapters supplemented with illustrative line drawings, images, and treatment algorithms. Access the fully searchable contents and bonus full-length videos of lumbar discography, biacuplasty, and MILD procedures at expertconsult.com. Improve patient safety and minimize risks with evidence-based, step-by-step guidance for interventional and neuromodulatory techniques

This issue brings the anesthesiologist up to date on current essential topics in regional analgesia and acute pain management, including the latest state-of-the-art techniques and drugs.? Subjects covered include prevention and treatment of local anesthetic systemic and neurotoxicity; complications of RA and pain management (medicolegal issues including anticoagulation, infection, etc.); assessment and treatment of post block neurologic injury (history, physical, investigations, EMG, NCS); new ultrasound guided techniques for peripheral nerve blocks and evidence based outcome review; emerging techniques and drugs for neuraxial and paravertebral blocks; local infiltration analgesia (for a variety of surgical procedures, wound infusions, infusion devices); continuous PNB in hospital and at home; recent advances in multimodal analgesia (new drugs & strategies, such as capsaisin, long acting opioid and local anesthetics); challenges in acute pain management (including the opioid tolerant patient, patients with comorbidities such as MS, DM and renal failure); economics and practice management issues associated with acute pain management; pediatric pain management; new concepts of acute pain management (including strategies to prevent chronic pain, opioid induced hyperalgesia, and more).

The Year Book of Anesthesiology and Pain Management brings you abstracts of the articles that reported the year's breakthrough developments in anesthesiology, carefully selected from more than 500 journals worldwide. Expert commentaries evaluate the clinical importance of each article and discuss its application to your practice. Topics in 2004 included: pregnancy and transient neurologic symptoms; informed consent for labor epidurals; analgesic effects of alphadolone; abdominal pain and chronic pancreatitis; analgesia for back and knee injuries. The Year Book of Anesthesiology and Pain Management is published annually in November.

New edition of a successful book of concise notes on clinical aspects of the examination for the Fellowship of the Royal College of Anaethetists. It has been fully updated to reflect changes in the examination syllabus. This will be an ideal revision guide for trainee anaesthetists sitting the FRCA and similar examinations. Concise notes for the clinical part of the FRCA Appendix covers the up to date syllabus for the examination Incudes appropriate guidelines and reports from the Association of Anaesthetists Each section ends with list of further reading

This comprehensive guide covers prescribing controlled substances for patients with acute or chronic pain and provides a balanced discussion on appropriate treatment, addiction, safety and complications. Chapters feature evidence-based strategies and clinical modalities that address diagnostic challenges, treatment guidance, alternatives to opioid management and the significant legal risks within the current regulatory environment. Authored by leaders in pain medicine, physicians and appropriate health care professionals will find Controlled Substance Management in Chronic Pain to be an indispensable resource.

Ongoing improvement in the quality of patient care is essential to all anesthesia practices. This issue of Anesthesiology Clinics provides solid foundation and guidance in how to improve outcomes, as it covers the following topics. An overview of QI structures and initiatives is presented, focusing on the relevance to anesthesiology. A practical guide on how to implement a QI program is provided. Quality measurement approaches and issues, including the use of databases and risk adjustment are also examined. How to use simulation and other cutting-edge technology to improve quality in the OR is provided. Issues in multidisciplinary education and enhanced communication are explored. Recommendations for fostering a culture of safety are provided. How real-time support and decision-making can improve performance on quality process measures are examined. Clinical topics including bariatrics, geriatrics and decreasing perioperative delirium, and pain management are covered, as well as issues about end-of-life care.

This issue brings the anesthesiologist up to date on current essential topics in anesthesia for otolaryngologic surgery, covering the newest cutting-edge procedures.? Topics covered include functional vocal cord surgery; functional endoscopic sinus surgery & skull base surgery; pediatric and adult laryngeal/tracheal surgery; jet ventilation; middle ear; neuromonitoring; transoral robotic surgery; lasur surgery and fire hazards in ENT; office-based procedures; applications of ultrasound in ENT (nerve blocks & airway assessment); LMAs for surgery procedures in head and neck; and anesthesia, OSA, and upper airway collapsibility.

1 Methoden.- 1.1 Elektroenzephalographie (EEG).- 1.1.1 Einfuhrung.- 1.1.2 Entstehungsmechanismen des EEG.- 1.1.3 Methodik der EEG-Ableitung.- 1.1.4 Das normale EEG.- 1.1.5 Pathologische EEG-Veranderungen.- 1.1.6 Diagnostisch relevante EEG-Befunde.- 1.1.7 EEG-Indikationen im Intensivbereich.- 1.2 Ultraschalldiagnostik.- 1.2.1 Physikalische und apparative Voraussetzungen.- 1.2.2 Anatomische und physiologische Voraussetzungen.- 1.2.3 Untersuchungsgang.- 1.2.4 Indikationen der Ultraschalldiagnostik in der Intensivmedizin.- 1.3 Somatosensibel evozierte Potentiale (SEP).- 1.3.1 Einfuhrung.- 1.3.2 Methodik.- 1.3.3 Ursprungsorte der SEP-Komponenten.- 1.3.4 Auswertung und Normwerte.- 1.3.5 Ausfallsmuster bei typischen Schadigungsorten.- 1.3.6 Indikationen zur Ableitung von SEP.- 1.4 Fruhe akustisch evozierte Potentiale (FAEP).- 1.4.1 Einfuhrung.- 1.4.2 Methodik.- 1.4.3 Generatoren des FAEP.- 1.4.4 Auswertung und Normwerte.- 1.4.5 Lokalisationsdiagnostische Bedeutung der FAEP.- 1.4.6 Indikationen zur Ableitung von FAEP.- 1.5 Motorisch evozierte Potentiale (MEP).- 1.5.1 Einfuhrung.- 1.5.2 Wirkungsweise der Magnetstimulation.- 1.5.3 Methodik.- 1.5.4 Auswertung.- 1.5.5 Kontraindikationen.- 1.5.6 Besonderheiten der MEP-Untersuchung auf der Intensivstation.- 1.5.7 Einsatz der MEP auf der neurologischen Intensivstation und im Neuromonitoring.- 1.6 Visuell evozierte Potentiale (VEP).- 1.6.1 Einfuhrung.- 1.6.2 Anatomische und physiologische Grundlagen.- 1.6.3 Technische Durchfuhrung.- 1.6.4 Auswertung.- 1.6.5 Beeinflussung der VEP.- 1.6.6 Indikationen fur VEP-Ableitung in der Intensivmedizin.- 1.7 Elektromyographie (EMG) und Neurographie.- 1.7.1 Einfuhrung.- 1.7.2 Elektromyographie.- 1.7.3 Motorische Neurographie.- 1.7.4 Sensible Neurographie.- 1.7.5 Prufung der neuromuskularen UEberleitung.- 1.7.6 F-Antworten.- 1.7.7 Reflexmessungen.- 1.8 Untersuchung des autonomen Nervensystems.- 1.8.1 Anatomie.- 1.8.2 Physiologie.- 1.8.3 Methodik: Grundlagen.- 1.8.4 Pathophysiologie.- 1.8.5 Methodik: Analyse der Herzfrequenzvariabilitat.- 1.8.6 Allgemeine Befunde.- 1.8.7 Blutdruckmonitoring.- 1.8.8 Methodik: Sympathische Hautreaktion.- 1.9 Exogene und endogene Einflusse auf neurophysiologische Parameter.- 1.9.1 Einfuhrung.- 1.9.2 Exogene Einflusse.- 1.9.3 Endogene Einflusse.- 2 Neuromonitoring bei Intensivtherapiepflichtigen Erkrankungen.- 2.1 Schadel-Hirn-Trauma.- 2.1.1 Einfuhrung.- 2.1.2 Pathophysiologie.- 2.1.3 Klinische Diagnostik.- 2.1.4 Radiologische Diagnostik.- 2.1.5 Neurophysiologische Diagnostik.- 2.2 Hypoxisch-ischamische Hirnschadigung.- 2.2.1 Einfuhrung.- 2.2.2 Ursachen und Pathophysiologie.- 2.2.3 Klinisches Erscheinungsbild.- 2.2.4 Prognose aufgrund der klinischen Untersuchung.- 2.2.5 Bedeutung neurophysiologischer Methoden fur Diagnostik, Verlauf und Prognose.- 2.2.6 Andere Untersuchungen.- 2.3 Intrakranielle Blutungen.- 2.3.1 Einfuhrung.- 2.3.2 Infratentorielle intrazerebrale Blutungen.- 2.3.3 Supratentorielle intrazerebrale Blutungen.- 2.3.4 Subarachnoidalblutungen.- 2.4 Hirninfarkt.- 2.4.1 Einfuhrung.- 2.4.2 Klinische und radiologische Klassifikation der Hirninfarkte.- 2.4.3 Ultraschalldiagnostik.- 2.4.4 Elektroenzephalographie (EEG).- 2.4.5 Fruhe akustisch evozierte Potentiale (FAEP).- 2.4.6 Motorisch evozierte Potentiale (MEP).- 2.4.7 Somatosensibel evozierte Potentiale (SEP).- 2.5 Meningoenzephalitis.- 2.5.1 Einfuhrung.- 2.5.2 Bedeutung neurophysiologischer Methoden fur Verlauf und Prognose.- 2.6 Metabolische und septische Enzephalopathien.- 2.6.1 Einfuhrung.- 2.6.2 Hepatische Enzephalopathie.- 2.6.3 Uramische Enzephalopathie und Dysequilibrium-Syndrom.- 2.6.4 Hypoglykamie.- 2.6.5 Hyperglykamie und hyperosmolares Koma.- 2.6.6 Elektrolytstoerungen.- 2.6.7 Schilddrusenfunktionsstoerungen.- 2.6.8 Weitere metabolische Enzephalopathien.- 2.6.9 Septische Enzephalopathie.- 2.7 Toxische Enzephalopathien.- 2.7.1 Einfuhrung.- 2.7.2 Intoxikation mit Barbituraten und Benzodiazepinen.- 2.7.3 Intoxikation mit Neurol

Foreword by Walter J. Freeman.

The induction of unconsciousness using anesthetic agents demonstrates that the cerebral cortex can operate in two very different behavioral modes: alert and responsive vs. unaware and quiescent. But the states of wakefulness and sleep are not single-neuron properties---they emerge as bulk properties of cooperating populations of neurons, with the switchover between states being similar to the physical change of phase observed when water freezes or ice melts. Some brain-state transitions, such as sleep cycling, anesthetic induction, epileptic seizure, are obvious and detected readily with a few EEG electrodes; others, such as the emergence of gamma rhythms during cognition, or the ultra-slow BOLD rhythms of relaxed free-association, are much more subtle. The unifying theme of this book is the notion that all of these bulk changes in brain behavior can be treated as phase transitions between distinct brain states.

Modeling Phase Transitions in the Brain contains chapter contributions from leading researchers who apply state-space methods, network models, and biophysically-motivated continuum approaches to investigate a range of neuroscientifically relevant problems that include analysis of nonstationary EEG time-series; network topologies that limit epileptic spreading; saddle--node bifurcations for anesthesia, sleep-cycling, and the wake--sleep switch; prediction of dynamical and noise-induced spatiotemporal instabilities underlying BOLD, alpha-, and gamma-band Hopf oscillations, gap-junction-moderated Turing structures, and Hopf-Turing interactions leading to cortical waves.