Maximum oxygen uptake during exercise is one of the best predictors of operative mortality and of prognosis in chronic cardiac or respiratory disease. Cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) are therefore an increasingly common component of pre-operative assessment and the management of patients with chronic cardiopulmonary problems. Part of the Oxford Respiratory Medicine Library (ORML) series, A Practical Guide to the Interpretation of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Tests, Second Edition provides readers with a practical, concise, and accessible approach to all aspects of cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET). CPET is often perceived as being incredibly complex to evaluate so this book breaks down interpretation to simple steps, allowing readers to rapidly understand the key points underpinning the application and interpretation of CPET. The text is focused and with the use of a substantial number of figures, learning points, and self-test questions helps readers to build confidence in undertaking and interpreting CPET. The second edition has been extended and extensively revised in line with the latest international guidelines and evidence, and includes 16 fully updated chapters, 4 new chapters, and a new section of worked examples has been added.

Ultrasound scanners are available in an increasing number of clinical areas. They are excellent for identifying the presence of a pleural effusion and the optimal site for aspration. The National Patient Safety Agency recommends their use prior to insertion of chest drains for pleural effusions. This book is for clinicians who want to start using portable ultrasound scanners to look at the chest. It will teach you some basic physics and how to adjust the controls on the scanner. Then you will learn how to recognise a pleural effusion. When you are proficient at identifying pleural effusions, you can start to look for some of the other clinical conditions which are shown in the many illustrations in this book. There are examples of the artefacts which may catch you out, with diagrams to explain how they are caused. Once you have started to use ultrasound at the bedside, you will not want to undertake "blind" pleural aspirations ever again. Competency in this technique is becoming the norm for those involved in managing patients with disease of the chest; this book will help you along that road