This eBook is one of 10 carefully selected collections of key articles from the Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine journal - a continually updated, evidence-based learning resource, based on the RCOA Curriculum. It is ideal for trainees preparing for the FRCA (or similar) exams. It will also prove an invaluable, authoritative refresher for life-long learning and CPD. Related MCQs are included to test your understanding.
Author Information
Edited by Nicholas Pace, FRCA FRCP PhD, Honorary Clinical Lecturer, School of Medicine, University of Glasgow and Consultant Anaesthetist, Gartnavel General Hospital, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Glasgow UK.
Section 1: AnatomyDevelopmental anatomy of the airwayAnatomy of the skullAnatomy of the cranial nervesOcular anatomy and physiology relevant to anaesthesiaThe spinal cord and its membranesThe cervical plexusAnatomy of the antecubital fossaThe femoral triangle and superficial veins of the legApplied anatomy for upper limb nerve blocksAnatomy of the epidural spaceSection 2: PhysiologyOsmolarity and partitioning of fluidsThe organization and composition of body fluidsCapillary dynamics and interstitial fluid–lymphatic systemBody temperature and its regulationMuscleProtective mechanisms of the bodyPhysiology of ageingThe cell membrane and receptorsCell biology and gene expressionProteomics and metabolomicsControl of cardiac functionInitiation and regulation of the heartbeatElectromechanical coupling and regulation of force of cardiac contractionNeurological and humoral control of blood pressureApplied cardiovascular physiologyPhysiology of red and white blood cellsHaemostasis, blood platelets and coagulationRespiration: ventilationRespiration: control of ventilationFluid balance and non-respiratory functions of the lungPrinciples of artificial ventilationApplied respiratory physiologyCerebrospinal fluid and its physiologyApplied cerebral physiologyThe brain: functional divisionsIntracranial pressure and cerebral blood flowNerve cell function and synaptic mechanismsAction potential: generation and propagationReflexes: principles and propertiesSpecial sensesHomeostatic control mechanismsRole of the kidney in acid-base balanceAcid–base physiology: new conceptsRegulation of fluid and electrolyte balanceThe function of the nephron and the formation of urineRenal blood flow, glomerular filtration and plasma clearanceMicturitionMacronutrients, minerals, vitamins and energyIntermediary metabolismGastric disorders: modifications of gastric content, antacids and drugs influencing gastric secretions and motilityDigestion and absorptionThe mouth, stomach and intestinesGut motility and its controlStarvation, exercise, injury and obesityThe pancreasMetabolic functions of the liverPhysiology and pharmacology of nausea and vomitingHormonal control of metabolism: regulation of plasma glucoseHypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal function: anaesthetic implicationsThyroid and parathyroid hormones and calcium homeostasisAdrenocortical hormonesClinical aspects of endocrinology: parathyroid and adrenal gland disordersUterine physiologyFunctions of the placentaCharacteristics of special circulationsSection 3: ImmunologyThe immune systemImmunological response to infection: inflammatory and adaptive immune responsesInflammation, immunity and allergyImmunology of transplantationCrystalloids, colloids, blood, blood products and blood substitutesSection 4: PharmacologyIon channels, receptors, agonists and antagonistsFactors affecting drug absorption and distributionMechanisms of drug interactions: pharmacodynamics and pharmacokineticsPharmacokinetic variationPharmacokinetic analysisModes of drug elimination and bioactive metabolitesPharmacogenomicsExtremes of barometric pressureDevelopmental paediatric anaesthetic pharmacologyPrinciples of intravenous drug infusionMechanisms of action of general anaesthetic drugsTotal intravenous anaesthesiaDrugs acting on the heart: anti-arrhythmicsDrugs acting on the heart: heart failure and coronary insufficiencyInotropesPharmacological modulation of cardiac function and blood vessel calibreDrugs acting on the heart: anti-hypertensive drugsPharmacology of plasma expandersDrugs affecting coagulationRespiratory system: applied pharmacologyDrugs affecting the autonomic nervous systemAntidepressants and antipsychotics: anaesthetic implicationsPharmacological control of blood sugarDrugs used to treat muscle and joint diseaseSection 5: Equipment & PhysicsMechanics: force, mass and accelerationPhysics of gasesGas, tubes and flowMedical gases, their storage and deliveryMechanical events and the pressure-volume relationshipsAnaesthetic breathing systemsPrinciples of anaesthetic vaporizersHumidification devicesSuction devicesProcessing storage and display of physiological measurementsPrinciples of pressure transducer function, and sources of error in clinical useElectricity and magnetismElectrical hazards: causes and preventionSurgical diathermyPhysical principles of defibrillatorsPhysics of ultrasoundPhysical principles of LASERDisinfection, sterilization and disposablesSection 6: MeasurementBasic measurement conceptsSI UnitsMathematical conceptsStatistics in medicineStatistics for clinical trials and auditMeasurement of gas volume and gas flowMeasurement of respiratory function: an update on gas exchangeMeasurement of pulse oximetry, capnography and pHMeasurement of gas concentrations (O2, CO2, N2O and volatile agents)Measurement of humidityCardiac output measurementCentral venous pressure and pulmonary artery pressure monitoringMonitoring arterial blood pressureMeasuring temperatureCommon errors in clinical measurementTest Yourself: MCQs
