Author: Sudhanshu Bajaj, MBBS, DA, FICM, FIPM
Published by: S. R. Sciences Pvt. Ltd. New Delhi (India)
Publication year: 2015
ISBN: 98-81-921480-3-8 Sections: 7 with variable parts in each section
Number of pages: 420
DOI: 10.35975/apic.v25i4.1594
Dr. Sudhanshu Bajaj is a well-known figure in the academic circles of anesthesiology in India. In fact he also has a deep interest in intensive care as well as pain management, as shown by the list of his qualifications. During his residency days, he was a keen learner, and in the pursuit of gaining more and more knowledge, he used to make smart notes of every subject he read. He found that these notes were especially useful to memorize all about a plethora of drugs, which filled the books of anesthesiology. Most of these drugs were also used in the intensive care units as well as in the practice of pain management. His notes soon became famous amongst his fellow residents, and were copied by them. This book is a compilation of the same notes with a lot of editing and amendments.
Pharmacology is the backbone of any medical field. It is especially of vital importance in the fields of anesthesia and critical care, both of which are a game of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Memorizing different classes, names, and mechanism of action of hundreds of drugs can be cumbersome and students are always on the lookout for simple, solid aids in this subject.
Concise Handbook of Anaesthesia Pharmacology is expected to be useful for residents in anesthesia and critical care, as well as the nursing and paramedical staff who work with drugs every day. A student-friendly, a comprehensible organization, style and algorithms will be useful to every student of pharmacology.
The book is conveniently divided into 7 sections. The first section, the longest and most comprehensive, contains a simple and broad classification of commonly used drugs in daily routine and emergencies, including induction agents, autonomic drugs, parenteral and inhalational anesthetic agents, vasoactive drugs, fluids and analgesics etc. A large group of miscellaneous drugs includes the rest of the commonly used drugs. Section Two consists of short biographies of well-known scientists, whose contributions made the foundation of the modern anesthesia. In Section Three various algorithms and flow diagrams of some of the clinical procedures have been grouped together. Section Four has been reserved for various scores, which have to be memorized by the residents. Section Five consists of relevant MCQ’s, to help all those taking exams, and Section Six offers few pages on laboratory values.
Each group of drugs has subdivisions containing individual drugs with the drug name, structure, and mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, clinical uses, adverse effects, metabolism and contraindications. For those with particular interest in chemistry of the drugs, basic structural diagrams have been included. The author avoids lengthy paragraphs and mentions main points in bulleted format, tables and flow charts wherever possible. This format is especially helpful for memorizing and rapid revisions during exams. Doses of drugs are clearly stated. Important facts are highlighted in segments marked ‘Notable Points’ which break the monotony of the content and impress their significance.
The book has been printed on thick glazed paper, so is heavy to carry around in the pocket of an overall. The binding makes it hard to keep open during reading. To improve the book in the next editions, a low weight paper, black ink and spiral binding may be used. Some attention on the comprehension and the font size is needed. Introductory pages may well be removed to reduce the volume. The book has the potential to become an everyday staple for the qualifying as well as the qualified anesthesiologists around the world.
Dr. Mishal Fatima
Dept. of Surgery,
NESCOM Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan