The Oxford Textbook of Critical Care is a single-volume, major reference book covering adult critical care medicine. The book includes two-colour diagrams and illustrations to aid clarity. There is also a CD-ROM version with additional graphics.The major goal of this book is to provide an up-to-date reference that would be relevant throughout the world in a format that allows rapid access to clinically important information. Authorship has been drawn from recognized experts throughout the world, so that it will compete in the internationalmarket and gain acceptance as a major reference.The major difference between the Oxford Textbook of Critical Care and its competitors is the problem-oriented format of the clinical sections, providing a reference source related to the problems faced in everyday critical care medicine. Rather than using the classical chapter layout, the text hasbeen organized into short topics which will allow readers to focus their reading on particular clinical problems. Clinical topics are covered with reference to the basic physiological principles underlying critical care medicine. Where international differences exist, authors cover alternativeviews.