Advanced Concepts In Endocarditis

The concept of endocarditis has evolved significantly over the years. While initially associated with patients with advanced co-morbidities, such as renal failure and chronic immunosuppression, endocarditis now spans many diverse disciplines. As such, the importance of advanced diagnostic imagining tools, a better understanding of the pathophysiology of not only the infectious (and non-infectious) disease process but also of cardiac structural abnormalities, and the growing literature on management cannot be underemphasized. This book broadens our collective understanding of the spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic challenges that all areas of medicine must appreciate when faced with the challenging clinical problem of endocarditis.

One of the most time-consuming tasks in clinical medicine is seeking the opinions of specialist colleagues. There is a pressure not only to make referrals appropriate but also to summarize the case in the language of the specialist. This book explains basic physiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in a straightforward manner, gives guidelines as to when referral is appropriate, and, uniquely, explains what the specialist is likely to do. It is ideal for any hospital doctor, generalist, or even senior medical student who may need a cardiology opinion, or for that ma.

Endocarditis remains an elusive challenge for clinicians to master. As the population ages and their comorbidities increase, the risk of infecting cardiac structures - both native and, the ever-increasing use of, prosthetic support technology - also increases. In addition, the global epidemic of intravenous substance abuse has also resulted in a substantial increase in the number of infected patients. Fortunately, advances in the diagnostic testing, imaging, and recognition of the importance of a multidisciplinary management team have also contributed to advances in the care of these critically ill patients. Nevertheless, optimal therapies need to be individualized and considered in the ever-increasing body of scientific literature on this complex and difficult problem.

Over the past two decades, the healthcare community increasingly recognized the importance and the impact of medical errors on patient safety and clinical outcomes. Medical and surgical errors continue to contribute to unnecessary and potentially preventable morbidity and/or mortality, affecting both ambulatory and hospital settings. The spectrum of contributing variables-ranging from minor errors that subsequently escalate to poor communication to lapses in appropriate protocols and processes (just to name a few)-is extensive, and solutions are only recently being described. As such, there is a growing body of research and experiences that can help provide an organized framework-based upon the best practices and evidence-based medical principles-for hospitals and clinics to foster patient safety culture and to develop institutional patient safety champions. Based upon the tremendous interest in the first volume of our Vignettes in Patient Safety series, this second volume follows a similar vignette-based model. Each chapter outlines a realistic case scenario designed to closely approximate experiences and clinical patterns that medical and surgical practitioners can easily relate to. Vignette presentations are then followed by an evidence-based overview of pertinent patient safety literature, relevant clinical evidence, and the formulation of preventive strategies and potential solutions that may be applicable to each corresponding scenario. Throughout the Vignettes in Patient Safety cycle, emphasis is placed on the identification and remediation of team-based and organizational factors associated with patient safety events. The second volume of the Vignettes in Patient Safety begins with an overview of recent high-impact studies in the area of patient safety. Subsequent chapters discuss a broad range of topics, including retained surgical items, wrong site procedures, disruptive healthcare workers, interhospital transfers, risks of emergency department overcrowding, dangers of inadequate handoff communication, and the association between provider fatigue and medical errors. By outlining some of the current best practices, structured experiences, and evidence-based recommendations, the authors and editors hope to provide our readers with new and significant insights into making healthcare safer for patients around the world.

Most patients with critical cardiac or thoracic conditions will at some stage pass through the cardiothoracic critical care unit. Critical care presents more complex clinical data than any other area of medicine. The new edition of Core Topics in Cardiothoracic Critical Care focuses on the latest practise in the management of patients in cardiothoracic intensive care. The practice of cardiothoracic critical care medicine is constantly evolving, and this new edition reflects the modernized learning styles for trainees. Each chapter includes key learning points as well as sample multiple choice questions and answers to assist in exam preparation. This edition also features updated chapters on ECMO, perioperative management of patients undergoing emergency cardiothoracic surgery, and advanced modes of organ support for patients. This text provides key knowledge in a concise and accessible manner for trainees, clinicians and consultants from specialities and disciplines such as cardiology and anaesthesia, and nursing and physiotherapy.

Core Concepts in Clinical Infectious Diseases (CCCID) provides medical students and researchers, infectious disease fellows, and practicing clinicians with key clinical concepts in the differential diagnosis and workup of infectious diseases. With the use of tables, charts, and problem-oriented medical diagnosis, it will provide a way of organizing and thinking about commonly seen clinical presentations of infectious diseases. Instead of discussing each disease process or any particular infectious process, this book will assist clinicians in seeing the forest and not focusing on the leaf. Graphs and tables have been constructed over 14 years of taking notes, teaching clinical infectious diseases, and discussing real clinical cases. This book is not about acquiring the structure of infectious diseases that is presented in classic textbooks of infectious disease; instead, it is about refining the process of putting the pieces together in clinical thinking to achieve an accurate clinical diagnosis and thus improved patient care. Assists the reader in connecting the dots (process of accumulating real-time knowledge) during the thinking process of clinical decision-making in the area of infectious diseases Uses tables and charts for easy understanding and application Contains a manual style that targets different audiences, such as medical students, hospital medicine specialists, outpatient internal medicine practitioners, infectious disease fellows in training, and practicing clinicians Provides an up-to-date discussion of core concepts in clinical infectious diseases

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) has evolved into an exciting and valuable tool to assist in the management of patients experiencing cardiogenic shock, severe acute respiratory failure, or often a combination of both. While outcomes remain less than ideal, they continue to improve with team experience, better patient selection, and a growing understanding of the nuances of managing patients who require mechanical circulatory support. Patients requiring ECMO are often extremely sick and have complex problems - initiating therapy before the development of end-organ damage is critical. Without doubt, teamwork, guidelines, and protocols are cornerstone concepts for clinical and program success - all topics that are emphasized in this text. The goals of this text are to further outline topics that help address some of the key challenges providers face when considering and applying extracorporeal support therapies to the evolving spectrum of acutely ill patients.

When a patient comes in with a suspected infectious disease, knowledge is power. Now this knowledge is simplified, comprehensive and easy to find. The Pharmacist's Guide to Antimicrobial Therapy and Stewardship puts all the necessary information in one place, including: Evaluating potentially infected patients Identifying the infection's suspected source and related organisms Comparing the range of anti-infectives Knowing the factors that impact treatment Developing an antimicrobial stewardship program A step-wise approach walks logically from overall key concepts to disease- and drug-specific information. Disease states are summarized for easy reference. Tables make it easy to evaluate recommended treatment options. In infectious disease management, when answers are seldom black and white, this guide helps pharmacists make confident decisions.

Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease is a concise, yet comprehensive, clinical resource highlighting must-know information on rheumatic heart disease and acute rheumatic fever from a global perspective. Covering the major issues dominating the field, this practical resource presents sufficient detail for a deep and thorough understanding of the latest treatment options, potential complications, and disease management strategies to improve patient outcomes. Divided into four distinct sections for ease of navigation: Acute Rheumatic Fever, Rheumatic Heart Disease, Population-Based Strategies for Disease Control, and Acute and Emergency Presentations. International editors and chapter authors ensure a truly global perspective. Covers all clinical aspects, including epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, management, and treatment. Includes key topics on population-based measures for disease control for effective primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Consolidates today’s available information and guidance into a single, convenient resource.