#42 ECMO
On this week’s episode of Critical Care Time, we sit down with two brilliant early-career ECMOlogists for an “intro-plus” to VV and VA ECMO. Not only do we cover the basics, but we couldn’t help ourselves and went on some deep dives along the way that you guys will hopefully find interesting! With the help of our good friends Nick Villalobos and Kha Dinh, we review indications for ECMO, approaches to configuration and management, touch on some of the complications and… even spend some time demystifying the European unit for girth! We hope you guys will have as much fun listening to this as we did producing it. If so, leave us a review and let us know what you think!
#41 Cardiogenic Shock
If you thought ARDS was a long episode... get ready for a marathon! This week on Critical Care Time, Cyrus and Nick take on the unenviable task of trying to cover everything you need to know about cardiogenic shock - at least in broad strokes - in ONE episode! That's right, this is your one-stop-shop for all things cardiogenic shock. While we will have some deep dives on RV and LV failure, as well as ECMO and other mechanical circulatory support options - this episode has a little bit of it all to wet your whistle and then some! We deconstruct the epidemiology of cardiogenic shock, do a deep dive on the SCAI classes of cardiogenic shock, talk pathophysiology (duh!) and then move on to treatment considerations - both medical and mechanical - followed finally by some cases to cement all the learning. We know this is a long one so feel free to listen/watch in chunks. However you decide to enjoy it, we are certain you will walk away from it ready to conquer the next CGS case you come across! Once you've finished this epic - leave us a review and let us know how we did!
#40 CCT Goes to the Moon w/ Astronaut Dr. Shawna Pandya
On this end-of-year episode, Nick & Cyrus boldly go where no Critical Care Podcasters have gone before - into space! Join us, as we adventure into the great beyond with astronaut extraordinaire, Dr. Shawna Pandya - the first female Canadian commercial astronaut, who also happens to be a rural emergency medicine physician among SO many other things. We spend an hour with her discussing space physiology, medical applications of space tech, chatting about ICU corollaries, her experiences training for her upcoming mission, and exploring the challenges facing space exploration in 2025 and beyond. Hop aboard and and enjoy this exciting content and let us know what you think. This super accessible episode is loads of fun for ICU junkies and space-nerds alike so kick back, give it a listen, and as always, let us know what you think!
#39 Beneath the Drape w/ Drs Alin Gragossian & Paul Wischmeyer
On this week's episode of Critical Care Time, Cyrus & Nick sit down with Dr. Alin Gragossian - intensivist, patient advocate, acclaimed blogger and heart transplant recipient and Dr. Paul Wischmeyer - a prior guest on CCT who is a world-renowned intensive care nutrition expert, tenured professor and no stranger to prolonged bouts with critical illness and life-threatening disease. These two incredible people share their stories and perspectives as physicians who have spent considerable time both behind the drape and beneath the drape: Being on the receiving end of countless procedures and life-saving interventions. They share with us their thoughts on where we are succeeding as a healthcare team, and where we can strive to improve at the bedside. Join us as we embark on this emotional and thoughtful journey with Alin & Paul. We hope you will listen to their stories and come away with a new appreciation for the patient experience and how privileged we are to care for the patients we care for.
#38 Palliative Care in Critical Illness: Intentional & Compassionate Palliation with Dr. Anand Iyer, MD
On this week's episode of Critical Care Time, Cyrus & Nick are honored to be joined by palliative care expert, Dr. Anand Iyer. Together they explore the intricacies of palliation in the ICU, exploring the challenge and nuances of addressing this critical element of care amongst the sickest patients in the hospital. How do you begin these discussions? How do you ensure your patients and families feel heard? How do you help them realize palliation is part of the care process and not that you are giving up on a loved one? What terms should we avoid using? We cover all of this and more with Dr. Iyer so make sure to give this episode a listen and leave us some feedback!
#36 Inotropes
Get excited for a new episode jam packed-episode with Critical Care goodness! Nick & Cyrus deconstruct, demystify and unpack Inotropes. These medications are essential in the world of critical care when we have to manage cardiogenic shock. What are the different inotropes? How can you decide which one is right for your patient? And... what's the difference between an Inotropic and an Ionotropic agent? You'll learn all this and so much more on this week's episode of Critical Care Time: The Podcast for Everyone Who Cares for the Critically Ill!
#16 Pulmonary Embolism Part 2
in Part II of our discussion of PE, Nick & Cyrus discuss the Pillars of PE Management! We review the literature behind lytics in non-massive PEs, talk about airway management, hemodynamics and more! Make sure you listen to Part I if you missed it as it sets the stage for this fantastic, treatment focused discussion.
#15 Pulmonary Embolism Part 1
There are few things in medicine Nick & Cyrus enjoy talking about more than PE! Join the guys from Critical Care Time as they tackle this massive topic via a two-part epic that’ll prove to be the best saga since The Lord of The Rings! In part one they talk about diagnosis, clinical decision support tools and demystify the pathophysiology behind pulmonary emboli. Check it out and be sure to catch the second half in two weeks! We promise you’ll get your money’s worth!
#11 The Physiologically Difficult Airway
Airway management in the critically ill can be one of the most challenging, stressful and rewarding elements of critical care medicine. While the anatomically challenging airway is often the first place our minds go when discussing difficult airways, the physiologically difficult airway is both more common and often requires more savvy to overcome. Join Cyrus & Nick as they take a pragmatic, case-based approach to this topic to equip you with the tools you need to successfully tackle a physiologically difficult airway, or support an airway operator charged with this task!
#7 Vasopressors Part 2: Beyond the Basics
On this episode of Critical Care Time, Cyrus and Nick go beyond the basics of vasopressor management. During this episode - jam-packed with high-yield pearls - we discuss important topics such as how to titrate vasopressors, what can be done when vasopressors seem to be failing a patient and how to wean patients from vasopressors in order to successfully get them out of the ICU and ultimately home. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this hour long master-class on Vasopressors - Beyond the Basics!
#6 Vasopressors Part 1: Pressor Basics
On this episode of Critical Care Time, Cyrus and Nick explore the basics of vasopressors, providing a framework for understanding them. When to start them, how to titrate them, when to use push dose vasopressors, and when a central line is needed. If you use vasopressors to treat your patients, this is the episode for you! Whether you are ordering them, titrating them or looking out for complications associated with their use, Nick & Cyrus have got your back!
#2 Undifferentiated Shock Part 2
We've already discussed how to identify shock, or how to assess a patient whom you are worried may be in shock... but what's next? Listen as Nick & Cyrus discuss the Pump, Pipe & Tank framework for determining the type of shock your patient is suffering from. In this episode we discuss the pathophysiology of the different types of shock, the tools you can use to help differentiate one type of shock from another, and scratch the surface on some initial treatment considerations.
#1 Undifferentiated Shock Part 1
In critical care medicine - it's not just a priority, but it's critical that you know how to identify, assess and stratify shock.
Join Nick & Cyrus in Part 1 of a 2-part, deep-dive into undifferentiated shock. On this episode we discuss how we define and assess a patient in shock; laying down the foundation for our shock framework.