A LABORATORY BASIS FOR ANESTHESIOLOGY

The anesthesiologist has become deeply involved in preparing and managing the surgical patient. In fact, the anesthesiologist is no longer limited to merely “rendering the patient unconscious and/or insensitive to pain and emotional stress during surgical, obstetrical and other medical procedures”. The role of the anesthesiologist now involves the cooperation among highly specialized physicians, requiring the employment of, and the familiarity with, sophisticated laboratory and monitoring data . However, clinical and laboratory tests and measurements have grown in number and complexity. This book is intended to introduce and assist the anesthesiologist in their use and interpretation. Each major laboratory test and monitoring procedure is illustrated and explained, and its relevance to anesthesia and surgery outlined. Information is provided not only on how a particular testing method works, but why it works, and what significant parameters it provides