The period following ROSC from cardiac arrest is a time when lives can be saved…or lost. A systematic and comprehensive approach to post-arrest care is associated with improved survival to discharge with good neurologic function. In this podcast, we discuss the recently published 2020 AHA Updates to Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care with attention to Post-Arrest care.
Approximately 350,000 adults in the US experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA).  Despite numerous potential improvements in treatments, survival from OHCA remains essentially unchanged since 2012. The American Heart Association (AHA) just released its 2020 Guidelines for Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Emergency Cardiovascular Care.  In this podcast, we review the key updates and recommendations that impact the acute care provider managing the patient in cardiac arrest.
Although electrical storm is an uncommon presentation, it is important that we readily recognize and treat these patients to prevent rapid progression to cardiac arrest. Effective management can be complex. In this podcast we discuss the management of patients with unstable and stable electrical storm.
Patients with acute liver failure can be incredibly sick and have an exceedingly high mortality.  Early identification and prompt, evidence-based management of the patient with acute liver failure may improve patient-centered outcomes.  In this podcast, we discuss updated guidelines for the management of adult patients with acute liver failure. Key resuscitation topics include fluid resuscitation, blood pressure targets, vasopressor selection, bleeding and thrombosis risk, and mechanical ventilation. Â
Ketamine is a well-known anesthetic used commonly in the ED for RSI and procedural sedation. In this podcast, we review the use of ketamine in other critical illness states, such as status asthmaticus, status epilepticus, acute pain management, and acute alcohol withdrawal syndrome.
Emergency department (ED) visits for critically ill patients has nearly doubled over the past decade. Unfortunately, ED boarding of critically ill patients awaiting ICU admission has also risen significantly, and is associated with several adverse patient outcomes. In this podcast, we review a white paper on boarding of the critically ill ED patient just published in Critical Care Medicine by a joint task force from ACEP and SCCM. If you care for the critically ill ED boarder in your ED, you CAN’T afford to miss this discussion!
The use of tranexamic acid (TXA) has markedly increased since the results of the CRASH-II trial were published.  In addition to its use in trauma, TXA has been evaluated and used in numerous other conditions, including post-partum hemorrhage and epistaxis.  Recently, the HALT-IT Trial was published online in the Lancet, which evaluated the use of TXA in patients with acute gastrointestinal bleeding.  In this podcast we discuss the HALT-IT Trial and its implications for clinical practice.Â
There has been an explosion of literature on the evaluation and management of patients with COVID-19 infection. In this podcast, we discuss updates (as of June 2020) in the care of critically ill patients with COVID-19. We touch on non-invasive ventilation, mechanical ventilation, proning, and medication administration.
Emergency medicine, critical care, and resuscitationists often use the Shock Index to identify patients with increased mortality. The Shock Index is calculated by dividing heart rate by the systolic blood pressure, with a value > 0.8 identifying a potential critically ill patient. In the setting of sepsis, the use of systolic blood pressure to calculate the Shock Index may be less sensitive. In this podcast, we review a recent article that suggests the use of the Diastolic Shock Index may be better in identifying septic patients who require earlier initiation of vasopressor medications.
As we gain more experience managing critically ill patients with COVID-19 infection there has been a shift away from immediate intubation and towards more frequent use of non-invasive ventilatory strategies. Dr. Michael Allison joins CCPEM this podcast to discuss the latest evidence, controversies, and recommendations on the use of HFNC in COVID-19 patients.
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