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This is the second of a two part tutorial on cardiac arrhythmias. This tutorial will concentrate on the assessment and management of the ventricular rhythm disturbances. Peri-operative Cardiac Dysrhythmias – Part 2. Ventricular Dysrhythmias (285) – May 6, 2013

Cardiac tamponade is a life-threatening emergency. The aim of this article is to provide the anaesthetist with an overview of its physiology and management.Cardiac Tamponade (283) – March 18, 2013

This article will focus on organ donation after circulatory death (DCD), including its definition, classification and a review of the processes involved in successful DCD.Organ Donation After Death (282) – March 11, 2013

A diagnosis of cancer in a child frequently results in anaesthetic input for diagnostic and treatment procedures. The anaesthetist forms a key part of the multidisciplinary team caring for the child with malignancy. Anaesthesia will be required at all stages of their care including diagnosis, treatment, tumour surveillance and pain management. Knowledge of the physiological effects of the malignant process and its treatment are vital for any anaesthetist involved in the care of such patients. Anaesthetic Considerations for Paediatric oncology (280) – February 11, 2013

This is the first of a two part tutorial on cardiac arrhythmias. It will cover the basics of ECG interpretation and summarise assessment and management of the common supra ventricular rhythm disturbances.Peri-operative Cardiac Arrhythmias – Part 1 (279) – February 4, 2013

The aim of this article is to provide the reader with an overview of the current guidelines and evidence for the management of sepsis in children.Management of Paediatric Sepsis (278) – January 28, 2013

This is the first of a two-part tutorial looking at liver anatomy, function, acute and chronic failure and the physiological changes associated with liver disease. The second tutorial will then look at the considerations and practicalities of anaesthetising this patient group, the indications for liver transplantation and will briefly consider anaesthesia in the post liver transplant patient. Anaesthesia and Liver Disease – Part 1 (270) – September 3, 2012

Describes the anaesthetic and critical care management of patients with head injuries.Management of the Head Injured Patient (264) – July 9, 2012

High frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV) is an alternative form of mechanical ventilation. To date its primary application has been in patients with ARDS. Despite evidence of a mortality benefit HFOV is growing in popularity. This article will review the basic principles of HFOV before providing practical advice on patient selection and clinical management for adult patients receiving HFOV.
High Frequency Oscillatory Ventilation (261) – June 7, 2012

This tutorial outlines the consensus algorithms for advanced cardiac life support with emphasis on the most recent recommendations as outlined by the Australian Resuscitation Council and New Zealand Resuscitation Council.Resuscitation for Cardiac Arrest (252) – February 27, 2012

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare, life-threatening multisystem illness resulting from severe hepatic injury from a variety of potential aetiologies (Figure 1). The potential for multi-organ failure makes ALF an extremely challenging disease to manage.
This tutorial explores the practical management of ALF in the critical care setting and aims to provide a structured approach to management of these patients. Management of Acute Liver Failure in Critical Care (251) – February 20, 2012

Three case based discussions to stimulate youCerebral Challenge (247) – January 23, 2012

This tutorial discusses the indications for, insertion of and care for tracheostomy, focussing on percutaneous tracheostomy in the critical care settingTracheostomy (241) – October 17, 2011

Renal failure (RF) is common in cirrhotic patients. Intensive care units frequently encounter patients with cirrhosis referred for organ support. Categorisation of renal failure, although sometimes difficult, is important for therapeutic and prognostic reasons and to support decision making.Hepatorenal syndrome (240) – October 10, 2011

Guillain Barre Syndrome is an autoimmune disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. This tutorial describes evidence based critical care management of the condition.Guillain-Barre Syndrome (238) – August 29, 2011

Worldwide, sepsis is among the leading causes of severe maternal morbidity and mortality. This tutorial explores the early recognition, diagnosis and management of sepsis and septic shock in pregnancy.Maternal Sepsis (235) – August 8, 2011

Delirium is a common and important complication of critical illness. It is associated with increased patient morbidity and mortality as well as longer hospital stays and higher treatment costs. This article will provide an evidence based review of this condition including its diagnosis, prevention and treatment.Delirium in Critical Care (232) – July 18, 2011

Massive haemoptysis is a rare but life threatening event. This tutorial discusses management and investigation of it.Massive Haemoptysis (225) – May 30, 2011

This article will review the basic principles underlying IABP counterpulsation, the device’s indications, contraindications, techniques for insertion and operating instructions. Understanding the basic principles, physiological effects, appropriate set-up and potential complications of the IABP are essential for improving patient outcomesIntra-aortic Balloon Pump Counter-pulsation (220) – April 25, 2011

This tutorial will look at the background to CPET, its physiology, practicalities of performing the test and evidence supporting its use in pre-operative risk stratification. It will not cover direct interpretation of raw CPET data.Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing (217) – March 14, 2011

This Cerebral Challenge is reprinted from Update in Anaesthesia 26 and presents three clinical cases based around ECGs and radiological investigations. Each case is presented in turn followed by discussion at the end.Intensive Care Cerebral Challenge (215) – February 28, 2011

H1N1: What it is and what to do when your patients have it.Intensive care management of pandemic (H1N1) Influenza (209) – January 17, 2011

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OOHCA) kills 90% of its victims before they reach hospital. This tutorial discusses evidence from randomised controlled trials supporting the use of induced hypothermia in carefully groups to improve outcome.Management of out-of-hospital cardiac arrests with induced hypothermia (206) – November 22, 2010

Enhanced recovery is a combination of elements of care for elective surgery which aims to optimise pre-operative preparation for surgery, avoid iatrogenic problems, minimise the stress response to surgery, speed recovery and return to normal function. Enhanced recovery after surgery (204) – November 8, 2010

This is the third and final tutorial of the critical care microbiology series. It aims to cover healthcare-associated infections for which the ICU population is at specific risk, viz. ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheter-related bloodstream infections.Antibiotics in Critical Care 3 – Critical Care-associated infections (202) – October 25, 2010

Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of striated muscle. There are many causes that all ultimately progress to myocyte necrosis and release of intracellular contents into the circulation. This can produce life-threatening complications including hyperkalaemia and acute kidney injury (AKI)Rhabdomyolysis (198) – September 27, 2010

This tutorial discusses the aetiology and diagnosis of acute kidney injury and describes the management of this from conservative to renal replacement therapy.Renal replacement therapy in critical care (194) – August 30, 2010

This tutorial covers the risk factors and pathophysiology of pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents, and goes on to discuss prevention and management.Pulmonary aspiration of gastric contents (192) – August 16, 2010

This tutorial will briefly review the pharmacology of Sevoflurane before discussing the advantages and disadvantages of using it to provide conscious sedation in patients and the methods that may be employed to do so.Conscious sedation with sevoflurane (188) – July 19, 2010

This tutorial reviews the assessment and peri-operative management of paediatric patients with asthma.Childhood asthma and anaesthesia (187) – July 12, 2010