The debate on the ideal neuromuscular blocking agent for RSI in emergency intubations rages on. In this podcast, we review the latest randomized trial comparing rocuronium with succinylcholine in out-of-hospital patients needing emergency tracheal intubation – The CURASMUR Trial. Emergency medicine airway guru Dr. Ken Butler takes us through the paper and provides his expert opinion on which NMBA you should be reaching for in your next intubation!
Identifying and Treating EVALI
In recent years, the use of e-cigarette and vaping products has sharply risen. Concomitant with the increased use is an increase in patients presenting with severe respiratory disease associated with these products. In this podcast we review the latest information on the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of patients presenting with e-cigarette associated acute lung injury (EVALI).
Critical Care of Cancer Therapy Toxicities
The number of critically ill cancer patients presenting to the ED is increasing. Though many of these patients are critically ill with conditions directly related to their cancer, some are sick as a result of toxicities from new therapies used to treat their cancer. Dr. Sarah Dubbs joins the podcast to discuss what we NEED to know about these new classes of cancer therapies and their related toxicities. Simply a TON of pearls in this 25-minute podcast.
A Year in Review: Key Articles from the 2019 Critical Care Literature
A plethora of literature was published during the course of 2019. In this podcast, we review several key articles published in the 2019 critical care literature that pertain to the resuscitation and management of select critically ill patients. Simply a great way to start 2020!
Benzodiazepine-Refractory Status Epilepticus – Which Drug is Second-Line?
Up to one-third of patients with status epilepticus will not respond to benzodiazepines.  Unfortunately, treatment of benzodiazepine-refractory status epilepticus is not well studied.  The longer seizures persist, the worse patients do.  In this podcast, we discuss the results of the recently completed ESETT trial that evaluated three anticonvulsant medications for status epilepticus.
Amniotic Fluid Embolism – (AFE)
Amniotic fluid embolism (AFE) is a catastrophic syndrome that occurs very soon after delivery and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, the diagnosis is often missed, or at the very least delayed. In this podcast, we discuss the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of this critical illness. Check it out!
The PrePARE Trial – Do IVFs Prevent Peri-Intubation CV Collapse?
Up to 25% of critically ill patients who undergo RSI and endotracheal intubation (ETI) may suffer cardiovascular collapse.? Many clinicians administer IVFs during RSI and ETI in hopes of preventing cardiovascular collapse, though this has never been studied…until now.? In this podcast we discuss the results of the recently published PrePARE Trial, as well as provide some thoughts on maximizing a patient’s physiology before performing ETI.
TTM For Nonshockable Rhythms?
Current guidelines for post-cardiac arrest management recommend TTM (32C to 36C) for all patients with coma after resuscitation from cardiac arrest. The benefit of TTM is primarily seen in patients who present with a shockable rhythm. However, nonshockable rhythms are now the most common presenting rhythm in patients with cardiac arrest. The use of TTM in patients with nonshockable rhythms remains controversial. In this podcast, we discuss the latest randomized article on the use of TTM in patients with cardiac arrest with a nonshockable rhythm. Should these results change YOUR practice?
Extubating in the ED
Given the development of ED-ICUs and the ever increasing boarding of critically ill patients in the ED, extubation in the ED has become a more common practice. Selecting the appropriate patient and following a practical, organized approach is paramount to safely and successfully performing this procedure. In this podcast, we discuss the pearls and pitfalls of ED Extubation. Simply an outstanding discussion that you can’t miss!
Do ED-Based ICUs Make a Difference?
Over the past decade, the annual hours of critical care delivered in US emergency departments has sharply risen. Undoubtedly, many critically ill patients remain in the ED for numerous hours awaiting an ICU bed.  In an attempt to improve the delivery of critical care to boarding ED patients, several hospitals and health care systems have recently implemented ED-based ICUs.  In this podcast, we discuss a recent article published in JAMA Open Network evaluating the impact on mortality and resource utilization of an ED-based ICU.