This volume is published under the auspices of the World Federation of Societies of Intensive Care Medicine, which consists of 48 members societies (both medical and nursing) - a truly world wide organisation - and whose aim is to promote excellence in the care of critically ill patients. The volume will be distributed to delegates on occasion of the 9th International Congress of the World Federation of Societies of Intensive and Critical Care Medicine, to be held in Buenos Aires at the end of August 2005.