Critical Care Scenarios

A detailed look at cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure as we typically see it in the ICU, with Dr. Elliott Tapper, gastroenterologist and transplant hepatologist, and director of the cirrhosis program at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. Takeaway lessons When treating liver patients, think infection, infection, infection—and understand that with good care and … Continue reading "Episode 15: Liver failure with El...

The conclusion of our scenario of severe intraparenchymal hemorrhage with resulting herniation, with a closer look at neurological exams, prognostication, and the flow of care after initial stabilization, as well as our mindset as caregivers in these psychologically challenging cases. Takeaway lessons Early tracheostomy may not hold concrete benefits for neuro patients (i.e. improved mortality), … Continue reading "Episode 14: ...

A typical case of severe intraparenchymal hemorrhage with resulting herniation. Takeaway lessons DOACs like apixaban (Eliquis), although not usually monitored using routine coagulation assays, tend to elevate the INR only slightly (e.g. 1.0–1.3 or so). A strikingly INR in warfarin-like ranges should raise suspicion for an additional occult cause of coagulopathy. Manage elevated ICPs using … Continue reading "Episode 13: Intrace...

Part two of our interfacility transfer from Hell. Tyler Christifulli, FP-C, EMT-P (@christifulli88) and Sam Ireland FP-C, EMT-P (@ireland_sam1) show us how they handle GI bleeding, arrhythmias, shock, cardiac arrest, and more, all from the confines of a helicopter. Listen to Part 1 here. Check out the great educational content from Tyler and Sam over … Continue reading "Episode 12: Flight medicine with Tyler Christifull...

A grueling interfacility transfer gives Tyler Christifulli, FP-C, EMT-P (@christifulli88) and Sam Ireland FP-C, EMT-P (@ireland_sam1) the opportunity to show us how they handle airway management, GI bleeding, mechanical ventilation, cardiac arrest, and more, all from the confines of a helicopter. Check out the great educational content from Tyler and Sam over at FOAMfrat, including … Continue reading "Episode 11: Flight...

The book Buy the new textbook (Bryan edited, Brandon authored a chapter) here or on Amazon: Concepts in Surgical Critical Care, First Edition ed. Bryan Boling, DNP, ACNP; Kevin Hatton, MD, FCCM; Tonja Hartjes, DNP, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FAANP The podcast The second piece of our in-depth look at the management of right heart failure, with … Continue reading "Episode 9: Right heart failure and the SAVIOR protocol with Habib Srour (part ...

The book Buy the new textbook (Bryan edited, Brandon authored a chapter) here or on Amazon: Concepts in Surgical Critical Care, First Edition ed. Bryan Boling, DNP, ACNP; Kevin Hatton, MD, FCCM; Tonja Hartjes, DNP, ACNP-BC, CCRN, FAANP The podcast An in-depth look at the management of right heart failure, with a focus on preserving … Continue reading "Episode 9: Right heart failure and the SAVIOR protocol with Habib Srour (part...

The second part of our look at a case of catastrophic intracranial hemorrhage, with a focus on goals of care, family interaction, prognostication, and other end-of-life aspects, with neurointensivist and palliative care physician Jess McFarlin (@JessMcFarlinMD). See Part 1 here. Takeaway lessons Useful phrase: “Can I tell you what to expect during the dying time?” … Continue reading "Episode 8: Palliative care with Jessica ...

Neurointensivist and palliative care physician Jess McFarlin (@JessMcFarlinMD) walks us through a case of catastrophic intracranial hemorrhage, with a focus on goals of care, family interaction, prognostication, and other end-of-life aspects. See Part 2 here. Takeaway lessons We can undo most things except death, so in most cases, a short trial (perhaps 3 days) of … Continue reading "Episode 7: Palliative care with Jessica ...

Neurologist and neurointensivist Gracia Mui shows us the workup, initial management, and escalation of care for a case of refractory status epilepticus. Takeaway lessons First-time unprovoked seizures usually need no further workup except screening for an underlying trigger, such as a tox screen, basic chemistries, and imaging as appropriate. Initial seizure therapy: wait around 5 … Continue reading "Episode 6: Status epileptic...

Cardiothoracic critical care PA Brendan Riordan (@concernecus) shows us his initial approach to the patient in cardiogenic shock, including initiating mechanical support, managing ECMO (plus Impella), and eventual weaning and discontinuation of support. Some pearls Anticoagulation on VA ECMO can be titrated to bleeding risk, with a balance between bleeding and circuit longevity—the latter being … Continue reading "Episode 5...

A fast-tracked update: what we know about the active pandemic of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and its resulting respiratory syndrome, COVID-19. Takeaway lessons Treat like viral pneumonia/ARDS. High PEEP. Prone early. Keep fluid balance dry. Probably avoid CPAP/BiPAP except perhaps for very short trials. Unclear role for HFNC. Watch out for myocarditis-type picture with cardiogenic … Continue reading "Special episode: COV...

What stops do you make along the garden path of hypoxic respiratory failure? Resources References An ARDS review: Fan E, Brodie D, Slutsky A. Acute Respiratory Distress: Syndrome Advances in Diagnosis and Treatment. JAMA. 2018;319(7):698-710 Lung protective ventilation (The original ARDSnet ARMA trial): Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Network, Brower RG, Matthay MA, et al. Ventilation with … Continue reading "Episode 3: Ref...

A tricky case of refractory heart failure. Case files Resources References Champion S, Belcour D, Vandroux D, et al. Stress (Tako-tsubo) cardiomyopathy in critically-ill patients. Eur Heart J. 2015;4(2):189-96. Chockalingam A. Stress cardiomyopathy of the critically ill: Spectrum of secondary, global, probable and subclinical forms. Indian Heart J. 2018;70(1):177-84. Dawson D. Acute stress-induced (takotsubo) cardiomyopathy. … Cont...

A troubling case of a painful finger. Resources References Stevens DL, Bryant AE. Necrotizing Soft-Tissue Infections. N Engl J Med. 2017 Dec 7;377(23):2253-2265. Bechar J, Sepehripour S, Hardwicke J, Filobbos G. Laboratory risk indicator for necrotising fasciitis (LRINEC) score for the assessment of early necrotising fasciitis: a systematic review of the literature. Ann R Coll … Continue reading "Episode 1: Necrotizing Soft Tis...