Arterial blood gas analysis plays an indispensable role in the assessment and management of patients with a huge range of acute medical and surgical problems. Its importance as a key tool in the work-up of acutely unwell patients rivals that of the ECG and the chest x-ray. This book covers all aspects of the arterial blood gas in a simple, user-friendly manner. The first part explains the technique, the values obtained and common patterns of abnormalities, while the second part comprises a series of worked examples and case scenarios to allow the reader to put this system into practice.

• A practical guide written for all those using this test and interpreting the results.
• Utilises worked examples to allow the reader to gain confidence in interpreting ABGs and appreciate the usefulness of the test in a variety of different clinical settings.
• Written in a simple style and presenting the concepts in a straightforward manner.

Part 1: The ABG explained

 Introduction
 Pulmonary gas exchange: the basics
 Disorders of gas exchange
 Acid base balance: the basics
 Disorders of acid base balance
 ABG sampling technique
 When and why is an ABG required?
 Common values
 Making ABG interpretation easy

Part 2: The ABG in Practice

The 2nd part of the book contains a series of 25 clinical scenarios each requiring interpretation of an arterial blood gas as the end point. Each scenario comprises a 2 page spread. The first page includes information on history and examination findings, with or without other important test results. The opposing page shows the ABG result in the style of a computer print-out and list a series of questions for the reader to answer. Each scenario has a corresponding "explanation" page at the back of the book.

By Iain Hennessey, MBChB(Hons), BSc(Hons), MRCS, Senior House Officer, Neonatal Intensive Care, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK; and Alan Japp, MBChB(Hons), BSc(Hons), MRCP, Clinical Research Fellow, Department of Cardiovascular Research, University of Edinburgh, UK