This book proves essential to understanding the problem of brain failure by emphasizing the various therapeutic approaches which have previously been somewhat neglected. The book summarizes the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of the various forms of brain failure, examining in detail structural and examining metabolic causes. Special consideration has been given to patients with severe head trauma, stroke, subarachnoid haemorrhage and to a variety of metabolic causes of coma. The relationship between cerebral blood flow and cerebral metabolic rate is explored, providing important conclusions with regard to therapy. New techniques of monitoring brain failure are described and their clinical usefulness defined, providing intensive care physicians, anaesthesiologists and neurologists a solid basis on which to build their knowledge of the brain-failure patient.

Brain, Endocrine and Immune Interactions: Implications in Intensive Care

Chemical Pathobiology of CNS Trauma
Pathophysiology and Treatment of Stroke
Neurotoxic Amino Acids and Amino Acid Antagonists as Neuroprotective Agents
The Role of Lipid Peroxidation in Ischemic Central Nervous System Injury
Brain Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury
Anaerobic Metabolism Within the Brain: Its Relationship to Brain Failure in Head-Injured Patients
Pathophysiology of the Encephalopathies Associated with Uremia and Hyponatremia
Encephalopathy Associated with Liver Disease
Drug-Induced Encephalopathy
Encephalopathy Associated with Sepsis
Energy Metabolism in Brain Injury
Perspectives in Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Present and Future
Influence of Mechanical Ventilation on Brain Circulation and function
Cerebral Blood Flow in Head Injury
Monitoring Brain Failure Using Evoked Potentials
Near Infrared Spectroscopy "In Vivo"
Intracranial Pressure Monitoring
Surgical Management of Head Injury
Prognosis of Brain Failure in the Intensive Care Unit.