Böcker av Marco Cascella

The book presents a unique and structured interdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from medicine, computer science, bioengineering, and other relevant fields. Due to this distinctive feature, the book offers a comprehensive exploration of the intricate relationship between potential AI applications and pain research and management. For example, one of its key aims is to provide valuable knowledge about AI for clinicians who may have limited familiarity with the subject, as well as for professionals in computer science and engineering. This approach is aimed at bridging the existing gap between these fields, offering clinicians insights into AI's potential applications, and providing computer scientists and engineers with a translational perspective on the practical needs in the clinical context. As widely demonstrated, the practical application of research faces a serious obstacle related to the limited communication and collaboration between research areas that are often very distant from each other. Therefore, this dual perspective could be useful to collocate the book as a valuable tool for fostering collaboration and understanding between these traditionally distinct domains.Furthermore, the structured framework of the book could not only facilitate learning but also serve as a foundation for future projects in the realm of AI and medicine. Specifically, it will be developed by following a framework useful for additional editorial projects, focusing more acutely on AI applications in anesthesia and critical care. By doing so, the book aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse and advancements in these specialized areas, filling a gap in the current literature. Therefore, the book seeks to make a meaningful contribution to the integration of AI in pain medicine, but also in other medical fields.

This book delineates that COVID-19 is a multisystem inflammatory disease and how its pathophysiology can predispose patients to an increased risk of neurological problems. Available data suggest the potential neuroinvasive capacity of the SARS-CoV-2 through direct viral damage and indirect entering the CNS by different routes including the vascular system, the olfactory and trigeminal nerves, the cerebrospinal fluid, and the lymphatic system. Furthermore, the pro-inflammatory cytokine storm and oxidative stress can induce microglial activation and damaging the blood-brain barrier, culminating in widespread neuroinflammatory processes. This acute neurotoxicity is clinically expressed as anosmia, ageusia, headache, nausea and vomiting. Other neurologic manifestations such as acute cerebrovascular diseases, encephalitis-based impaired consciousness, and meningitis are also described.The PNS can also be affected and clinical manifestations including Guillain-Barré syndrome, polyneuritis, Miller Fisher Syndrome, and other problems are described. A special issue concerns the neurocognitive dysfunction and altered consciousness manifested as delirium, agitation, and confusion. Non-specific symptoms such as dizziness, and seizures can accompany clinical pictures.Regardless of the admitting diagnosis, a high percentage of patients discharged from ICUs develop disabilities affecting physical, cognitive and psychological activities. The symptoms such as asthenia, memory disturbances, depression, sleep disturbances, anxiety, and Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), can configure the so-called Post-intensive Care Syndrome (PICS). Multimodal management during the ICU stay and implementation of follow-up programs on patient discharge can reduce the incidence of this syndrome, improving the quality of life of surviving individuals.In this complex scenario, a careful clinical approach through reliable diagnostic tools, and epidemiological studies aimed at evaluating the dimensions of the problem also in economic terms, is urgently needed.This book represents a valuable aid for all healthcare professionals (intensivists, neurologist and psychiatrists, as well as others) involved in the management of these critically ill patients.