Critical Care Medicine Case Studies

Intensive care medicine also called critical care medicine, is a medical specialty that deals with seriously or critically ill patients who have, are at risk of, or are recovering from conditions that may be life-threatening.¹

Patients are admitted to the intensive care unit if their medical needs are greater than what the general hospital ward can provide. Indications for the ICU include blood pressure support for cardiovascular instability (hypertension/hypotension), sepsis, or certain cardiac arrhythmias. Other ICU needs include airway or ventilator support due to respiratory compromise. The cumulative effects of multiple organ failure, more commonly referred to as multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, also require advanced care.²

Reference:

1. Gabrielli, A., Layon, A., Yu, M., Civetta, J., Taylor, R., & Kirby, R. (2009). Civetta, Taylor, & Kirby’s critical care. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
2. Pardo, M. (2018). Basics of Anesthesia. Elsevier.