The second edition of the book, part of the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) textbook series, is a graphical, dense and concise text describing fundamental theoretical concepts needed for doctors and other professionals new to the field of Intensive Care Medicine. In this volume chapters have been reviewed by renowned Key Opinion Leaders in the respective fields of interest.

The book serves two main purposes: as study material for any junior doctor, nurse or other allied healthcare professional who is time-pressured and wants to quickly learn the essentials; and as a course volume of new ESICM educational initiative called Intensive Care Fundamentals. The overarching goal of this initiative is to offer standardised high-quality introductory education to all starters in intensive care.

There are two key elements of this initiative: the book, which is the prerequisite reading for attending the two day face-to-face course and the materials, registration of candidate and training and certifying the trainers that will be provided by ESICM.