Andrea Aliverti – författare

This book focuses on thoracic ultrasound, a versatile, diagnostically accurate, low-cost, noninvasive and non-ionizing imaging technique. Thanks to portable devices, the method can be used to provide quick and accurate diagnoses in emergency settings, during transport, or at the patient’s bedside in intensive care units. In addition, as a dynamic examination that allows “real-time” assessment, it can be used to optimize diagnoses, the use of respiratory support equipment, surgical interventions and physiopathological assessments, both in critical patients and those with chronic conditions. Lastly, since it avoids ionizing radiation, thoracic ultrasound offers a first-line diagnostic tool for thoracic disease assessment in connection with pregnancy, neonatology and pediatrics.

Pursuing a practical approach, this book also addresses the technological components that are needed in order to adequately set up the equipment. This integrated approach provides non-radiologists with essential know-how on using thoracic ultrasound as an extension of their physical examinations. Specific chapters are dedicated to thoracic ultrasound applications in neonatology, pediatrics and emergency medicine, as well as guided procedures and diaphragm function studies. Thoracic ultrasound has been a central element in the editors’ clinical and experimental work for several years, and the book also includes contributions by prominent international experts on specific applications. Given its content and scope, the book will be of interest to all medical practitioners seeking a practical approach to thoracic ultrasound.

Respiratory system and artificial ventilation are key topics when considering the main aspects of Anaesthesiology and Critical Care Medicine: assisted ventilation techniques are essential to preserve the patient’s life, but just as any other treatments they can be also extremely pernicious.

Scientific research and clinical evidences are equally fundamental in investigating the best methods to provide effective support and increase positive outcomes. It is obviously desirable that this knowledge and know-how are widely shared among scientists and practitioners.

With this purpose, the book includes contributions by an international panel of authors and gathers their varied and valuable expertise up to illustrate principles, study results and case experiences on respiratory physiopathology, respiratory mechanics, respiratory functions monitoring, artificial ventilation and diagnostic radiology in respiratory dysfunction failure.

We trust it can represent a precious reference for professionals in their ongoing self-improvement process to increase skilfulness. Furthermore, we hope that this book can serve as a useful learning tool for medical students and can contribute to the education of future anaesthesiologists and intensivists.