Applied Physiology in Respiratory Mechanics

From The Critics

Reviewer: David J. Dries, MD(University of Minnesota Medical School)
Description: This is the first edition of a softbound summary of applied research in respiratory mechanics and support with mechanical ventilation.
Purpose: The editor and contributors provide a summary of recent clinical and physiologic research on respiratory muscle function in various disease states. Weaning from mechanical ventilation and support of acute respiratory failure are emphasized.
Audience: The student, practitioner, and researcher in pulmonary disease and critical care will benefit from this work. The editor is internationally known for work in respiratory mechanics spanning more than a decade. Other contributors represent an international group of experts.
Features: Content begins with basic descriptions of control of breathing and respiratory muscle function. Mechanics and models of respiration follow. Subsequent chapters describe the effect of acute respiratory dysfunction on work of breathing, lung injury with mechanical ventilation, and weaning of mechanical ventilation. Non-invasive ventilation and experimental ventilator modes, including liquid ventilation, are discussed in the concluding chapters. Contributions are concise and well written. Black-and-white figures are provided in adequate numbers and reproduce well. An abundant reference list concludes each chapter. References date to within four to five years of publication and represent original work. The table of contents presents chapter titles and contributors. A four page subject index concludes this book.
Assessment: Milic-Emili provides an excellent overview of physiology and respiratory mechanics as they relate to acute respiratory failure and various modes of support with mechanical ventilation. My criticism of this work stems from delay in publication, as many of the references cited are well in excess of five years prior to the date of publication. The reader will need to look at more recent work to complete a review of this subject. Nonetheless, fundamental physiologic concerns are concisely and effectively presented.

David J. Dries

This is the first edition of a softbound summary of applied research in respiratory mechanics and support with mechanical ventilation. The editor and contributors provide a summary of recent clinical and physiologic research on respiratory muscle function in various disease states. Weaning from mechanical ventilation and support of acute respiratory failure are emphasized. The student, practitioner, and researcher in pulmonary disease and critical care will benefit from this work. The editor is internationally known for work in respiratory mechanics spanning more than a decade. Other contributors represent an international group of experts. Content begins with basic descriptions of control of breathing and respiratory muscle function. Mechanics and models of respiration follow. Subsequent chapters describe the effect of acute respiratory dysfunction on work of breathing, lung injury with mechanical ventilation, and weaning of mechanical ventilation. Non-invasive ventilation and experimental ventilator modes, including liquid ventilation, are discussed in the concluding chapters. Contributions are concise and well written. Black-and-white figures are provided in adequate numbers and reproduce well. An abundant reference list concludes each chapter. References date to within four to five years of publication and represent original work. The table of contents presents chapter titles and contributors. A four page subject index concludes this book. Milic-Emili provides an excellent overview of physiology and respiratory mechanics as they relate to acute respiratory failure and various modes of support with mechanical ventilation. My criticism of this work stems from delay inpublication, as many of the references cited are well in excess of five years prior to the date of publication. The reader will need to look at more recent work to complete a review of this subject. Nonetheless, fundamental physiologic concerns are concisely and effectively presented.

3 Stars from Doody