Preface; Part I. Basic Principles M. Cardwell; 2. Acute cardiac pharmacology M. Cutts; 3. Shock W. R. Macnab and C. Clarke; 4. Heart–lung interactions and IPPV I. McConachie; 5. Monitoring D. Hume; 6. Right ventricle in health and disease D. Kelly; 7. Heart and circulation in severe sepsis I. McConachie; 8. Echocardiography and cardiac emergencies E. Lee; 9. Mechanical aids R. Katira and G. Goode; 10. Catheter-based treatments for acute cardiac emergencies S. Bulugahapitiya and D. Hesketh Roberts; Part II. Specific Problems: 11. Cardiac arrest and CPR I. McConachie; 12. Unstable angina and myocardial infarction A. Brodison and A. Chauhan; 13. Cardiogenic shock M. Brack; 14. Heart failure M. Brack; 15. Acute management of arrhythmias R. Katira and G. Goode; 16. Miscellaneous emergencies A. Brodison and A. Chauhan; 17. Role of surgical intervention J. Au.