Critical Cardiologic Considerations in the Cancer Patient

Selected critical care complications of cancer therapy

In this article of critical care complications of radiation therapy, chemotherapy, and biological therapy, the authors focus on the pathophysiology of the toxicities, causative agents, and patient presentation. They provide an overview of the types of toxicities that advances practice and expert critical care nurses may encounter in the care of the critically ill patient who has received cancer therapy. The purpose of providing this information is to increase the awareness of potential causes for admission to the intensive care unit and to described the toxic effects that have an impact on the critical care nursing the patient receives. The nursing management of these problems follows the standard guidelines for patients with any of the particular organ system dysfunctions.

Surgical critical care for cancer patients

Progress in cancer surgery and changes in philosophy have resulted in greater numbers of critically ill surgical oncology patients. The effects of cancer and prior exposure to cancer therapies increase the risks for postsurgical problems. Life-threatening cardiopulmonary sequela and patients undergoing liver resections and transplantation are examples of problems that require the knowledge and skill of critical care nurses. Critical care surgical nurses face new challenges by merging their surgical nursing expertise with principles of cancer care.