Essentials of Evidence-Based Practice of Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care

The current practice of medicine is largely moving toward applying an evidence-based approach. Evidence-based medicine is the integration of best research evidence using systematic reviews of the medical literature and then translating it into practice by selecting treatment options for specific cases based on the best research. Clinicians rely on the availability of evidence and accordingly take decisions to provide best treatment to their patients. Clinical management of neurologically compromised patients is challenging and varied; for this reason, treating physicians including neuroanesthesiologists are always in search of best available evidence for patient management and care. Essentials of Evidence-Based Practice of Neuroanesthesia and Neurocritical Care highlights the various controversies that exist in the practice of neuroanesthesia and provides conclusive evidence-based solutions. This comprehensive resource succinctly discusses evidence-based practice of neuroanesthesia based on systematic reviews in clinical neuroscience research. Topics include neurophysiology: ICP or CPP thresholds; neuropharmacology: intravenous or inhalational anesthetics; and neuromonitoring: ICP monitoring. Evidence-based practice is now an integral part of neuroscience, and this book will help residents and trainees gain knowledge to apply it to their practice.

Endorsements/Reviews:

"Evidence based practice is facilitating changes at a rapid pace in neuroanesthesia and neurocritical care practice. Its practice is exceedingly crucial in neuroanesthesia and neurocritical care considering the criticality of the neurologically sick patients, which leaves little or no room for error for an acceptable outcome in them. Patient management in Neuroanesthesia and neurocritical care has many contentious issues because of rapidly evolving changes in their management which require treatment guided by the latest available evidence in literature. Dr. Hemanshu Prabhakar is a strong proponent of evidence based practice for the management of neurologically ill patients both for surgical procedures and their management in neurointensive care unit. Undoubtedly, this book will be of enormous benefits to the students as well as teachers of neuroanesthesia and neurocritical care sub-specialties." -- Parmod Bithal, Editor-In-Chief, Journal of Neuroanaesthesiology and Critical Care (JNACC)

Section A - Introduction 1. Introduction to evidence-based practice

Section B - Neurophysiology 2. ICP or CPP thresholds 3. Role of hypothermia 4. Mechanical ventilation—PEEP

Section C - Neuropharmacology 5. Intravenous or inhalational anesthetics? 6. Hyperosmolar therapy 7. Role of nitrous oxide 8. Antimicrobial prophylaxis 9. Role of antiepileptics 10. Treatment of hypertension 11. Role of statins for neuroprotection 12. Role of stem cell therapy in neurosciences

Section D - Neuromonitoring 13. ICP monitoring 14. Type of ICP monitor 15. Newer brain monitoring techniques 16. Intraoperative neuromonitoring

Section E - Neuromonitoring 17. Blood transfusion triggers 18. Reversal of anticoagulation in neurosurgical and neurocritical care settings 19. Role of decompressive craniectomy 20. Strategies for brain protection 21. Anesthesia for carotid endarterectomy 22. Anesthesia for acute stroke 23. Anesthesia for spine surgery

Section F - Neurointensive care 24. Choice of sedation in ICU 25. DVT prophylaxis 26. Role of steroids 27. Initiation of nutrition 28. Glycemic control 29. Anesthetics for status epilepticus

Section G - Ethical issues 30. Diagnosing brain death

Section H - Recent advances 31. Simulations in clinical neurosciences

Section I - Webliography 32. Webliography

• Highlights the various controversies that exist in the practice of neuroanesthesia and provides conclusive evidence-based solutions
• Topics include neurophysiology: ICP or CPP thresholds; neuropharmacology: intravenous or inhalational anesthetics; and neuromonitoring: ICP monitoring
• Provides residents and trainees with the knowledge to apply evidence-based practice of neuroanesthesia to their practice