Description:This up-to-date text fills the gap for a practical ready-reference for both residents and practicing clinicians which discusses the science underlying respiratory critical care and, more importantly, which relates this to the patient. It provides a review of the major developments in the field over the last decade. The chapters are well balanced and cover key areas of critical respiratory medicine with commentaries from acknowledged experts in the field. Key Features: * Accessible textbook format * Reviews all major developments in the management of the critical ill respiratory patient * Includes authoritative state of the art reviews from internationally acknowledged experts * Includes a balanced counterpoint to controversial issues where appropriate * Highlights the need for comprehensive delivery of care to patients at risk of respiratory compromise * Indicates and reviews the importance of ethics in critical care medicine