Textbook of Anesthesia has become the book of choice for trainee anesthetists beginning their career in the specialty. For this new edition the contents have been reorganized and rewritten in order to focus on clinical anesthesia and the basic science which has direct and close relevance to it. Highly suitable for those preparing for the Primary Examination of the Royal College of Anesthetist and similar exams it is also a practical guide for all anesthetists and other health care professionals involved in the care of patients in the preoperative period. Edited by: Alan Aitkenhead BSc MD FRCA Professor Department of Anaesthesia University of Nottingham Medical School Nottingham UK Graham Smith BSc(Hon) MD FRCA Professor of Anaesthesia University Department of Anaesthesia Critical Care and Pain Management Leicester Royal Infimary Leicester UK and David Rowbotham MD MRCP FRCA Professor of Anaesthesia and Pain Management University Department of Anaesthesia Critical Care and Pain Management Leicester Royal Infirmary Leicester UK