Principles and Practice of Neurocritical Care

This official textbook of the Society of Neurocritical Care (SNCC) comprises a comprehensive review of all possible neurologic conditions that one may encounter in the practice of neuro-intensive care. It covers various topics, from the history and origin of neuro-intensive care to psychological and nursing care. Neurocritical care is the intensive care management of patients with life-threatening neurological and neurosurgical illnesses such as massive stroke, bleeding in or around the brain (subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, subdural hemorrhage, intraventricular hemorrhage), brain tumors, brain trauma, status epilepticus, nerve and muscle diseases (myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barre Syndrome), spinal cord disorders and the cardiopulmonary complications of brain injury. Neurocritical care units specialize in managing the unique needs of such critically ill patients. The textbook is divided into many sections. Chapters discuss issues related to palliative care and describe some of the commonly performed procedures in the neuro-intensive care unit as well. It provides a straightforward and systematic approach to various clinical problems encountered during intensive care management of neurologic patients. It includes a separate section on special considerations in neurocritical care. The book includes ample figures, flowcharts and algorithms. The textbook is a valuable resource for residents, fellows and trainees in neuroanesthesia, neurointensive care, critical care, and anesthesia. It serves as a quick guide to all intensivists managing neurosurgical patients. It is also helpful for general intensivists who occasionally manages neurologic patients.