The Oxford Specialist Handbook in Cardiothoracic Critical Care summarises current knowledge and provides an evidence—based approach to all aspects of patient care. It is written by leading experts in the field and provides a guide to clinical decision making in a user—friendly format. Written in the Oxford Handbook format, each section is comprised of short topics ideal for quick reference. Portable, accessible, and reliable, the book equips the clinician with the basic scientific and clinical knowledge to safely assist in formulating management plans, based on current best practice. It is intuitively divided in to four sections, concisely covering; postoperative management, organ dysfunction, specific patient groups and treatments and procedures. This allows confidence in the management of all patients in the cardiothoracic critical care unit, including patients immediately following cardiac surgery, those with acute cardiovascular disorders, those with pre—existing cardiac disease and many others. It will provide knowledge and instil confidence for the procedures regularly performed such as pacing, central venous cannulation and echocardiography.This concise and practical handbook would be useful to the general intensivist and is an indispensable pocket reference for intensive care nurses, advanced critical care practitioners and trainees & consultants in cardiothoracic surgery and critical care. This edition has been updated to cover all recent advances in the management of this critically unwell patient group.