Critical Care and Shock

Health care costs represent a large percentage of the gross domestic product all over the world. According to the National Health Statistics Group, health care expenditure in the United States accounted for as much as 14% of the gross national product in 1992 and it is projected to reach 30% by 2030.
The intensive care unit (ICU) represents the hallmark of highly competent modern hospitals, offering highly trained staff and life-saving technology and it is also one of the most expensive units in the hospital.

Endurance sports such as marathon running are increasingly popular, attracting both professional and recreational athletes. While most participants recognize that these events can result in health hazards, few consider death a likely outcome. Exercise associated hyponatremia can be a consequence for which fatal outcomes may occur. In some it is mild and without symptoms. However, in others it is of such severity that respiratory failure secondary to pulmonary edema, and possibly death may result.