The contents of this book are a selection taken from materials that have been developed during the preparation of continuing education courses (distance learning), whose scientific advisor is the volume editor, Professor Allaria, and that have never previously been published. The topics considered are wide ranging; particular attention is devoted to general topics of importance to the practitioner, but specific controversial issues, such as the role of goal-directed hemodynamic therapy, are also addressed. All of the authors are recognized experts on the subjects they discuss. The book is part of a wider project that aims to provide updated information each year not only in anesthesiology but also in other fields, including cardiology, ophthalmology, and nephrology.

Biagio Allaria graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Milan in 1961. Prior to 2003 he was Chief Physician and Head of Department at the Istituto Nazionale Tumori (National Cancer Institute) in Milan, and he has also been a Professor in the School of Anesthesia and Resuscitation at the University of Milan. Currently he is Chief Scientist for Medical Evidence Data Italia, authorized provider of continuing education courses. Dr. Allaria has taught on the courses offered by the Federation Des Ecoles Europèennes dAnesthesiologie (FEEA). He is the author of more than 150 scientific works, including two books published by Springer, and his principal areas of interest are cardiac research in anesthesiology and critical care medicine.

Critical care medicine in the elderly: clinical, ethical and economic controversies.- Does GDHT still make sense in the perioperative period in the critical patient?.- Abdominal compartment syndrome and intensive care medicine.- Acute liver failure.- The use of diuretics in intensive care medicine.- Hemorrhage and the perioperative period: the hematologists opinion.- Hypercapnia.- Are we sure of using drugs in the right way in critical patients?  Decontamination of the digestive tract.- Kidneys, heart and lungs during dysrhythmias.- VAP (Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia).- Artificial respiration and the asthmatic patient.