Critical Matters

Dr. Fred Rincon, an Associate Professor of Neurology and expert in neurocritical care, dives deep into the complex subject of brain death determination. He covers the historical context and legal foundations of brain death concepts from the 1960s. Learn about the crucial brainstem exams, the apnea test mechanics, and the role of drug considerations. Fred also emphasizes effective communication with families and the need for compassion in critical care, sharing insights on navigating the emotional complexities of these discussions.

n this episode of Critical Matters, we provide a quick recap on five things we learned after attending the annual Society of Critical Care Medicine Critical Care Congress. Four recent clinical studies released ahead of print during the congress are briefly discussed in addition to some thoughts on ECMO. Additional Resources: Bag-Mask Ventilation during Tracheal Intubation of Critically Ill Adults: https://bit.ly/2GRFbEH Effect of Titrating Positive End-Expiratory Pressure (PEEP) with Esophageal Pressure-Guided Strategy vs. an Empirical High PEEP-FiO2 Strategy on Death and Days Free From Mechanical Ventilation Among Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: https://bit.ly/2T38pqV Effect of a Resuscitation Strategy Targeting Peripheral Perfusion Status vs Serum Lactate Levels on 28-Day Mortality Among Patients With Septic Shock: https://bit.ly/2UcyoJ3 Adjunctive Intermittent Pneumatic Compression for Venous Thromboprophylaxis: https://bit.ly/2Xx4O35 Books Mentioned in This Episode: The Art of Living: The Classical Manual on Virtue, Happiness, and Effectiveness. Epictetus by Sharon Lebell: https://amzn.to/2ECiYIp

In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss what happens to patients who survive the ICU. Our guest is Dr. Carla Sevin, Director for The ICU Recovery Center at the Vanderbilt School of Medicine. Dr. Sevin discusses current concepts regarding the post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) and shares her views on how we can prevent, identify, and treat it. Additional Resources: Link to Society of Critical Care Medicine webpage containing a host of resources related to the Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS): https://bit.ly/2S34Xam Link to Understanding Your ICU Stay: Information for Patients and Families booklet: https://bit.ly/2SN6S7u Link to the CIBS Center website, which contains a wealth of resources for intensivists on the topic of ICU liberation and survivorship: https://bit.ly/2HfdQ0n Link to review article, Treatment of the Post-ICU Patient in an Outpatient Setting: https://bit.ly/2UUXkVg Books Mentioned in This Episode: In Shock: My Journey from Death to Recovery and Redemptive Power of Hope by Rana Awdish, MD: https://amzn.to/2SOLwX6 A View from the Edge — Creating a Culture of Caring by Rana Awdish, MD: https://bit.ly/2E6t1FF

Wesley Ely, a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University and co-director of the CIBS Center, dives into the critical impact of delirium on ICU patients. He discusses innovative assessment methods like the CAM-ICU and highlights the long-term cognitive risks, including dementia, following ICU stays. Ely emphasizes non-pharmacological strategies to enhance patient environments and improve outcomes, such as natural light and physical activity. Communication during patient transitions is also crucial, advocating for structured care approaches to manage delirium effectively.

In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss burnout in healthcare. Burnout is an increasing problem in critical care that impacts growing numbers of providers, nurses and healthcare professionals working in the intensive care unit. This episode is based on a webinar I presented on the topic followed by a panel discussion with physician leaders. Additional Resources: An Official Critical Care Societies Collaborative Statement: Burnout Syndrome in Critical Care Health Care Professionals: A Call for Action: https://bit.ly/2M1PGFq Why Doctors Hate Their Computers by Atul Gawande, MD: https://bit.ly/2JCw1uz Institute for Healthcare Improvement White Paper – Framework for Improving Joy in Work: https://bit.ly/2zHs16F

Dr. Ram Subramanian, Medical Director of Liver Transplantation at Emory School of Medicine, sheds light on the intricate management of critically ill patients with cirrhosis. He shares insights on navigating complications like hepatic encephalopathy and acute GI bleeds, highlighting proactive strategies for better outcomes. The conversation dives into transplant eligibility criteria and the importance of multidisciplinary approaches for patient care, emphasizing tailored interventions like TIPS and the role of support systems in improving patient survival.

In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss the role of procalcitonin as a biomarker in lower respiratory tract infections and sepsis. Our guest is Dr. David Huang, the primary investigator in the recently published Procalcitonin-Guided Use of Antibiotics for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (ProACT) clinical trial. He discusses lessons learned from this very important study and offers insight into the use of procalcitonin in clinical practice. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Procalcitonin-Guided Use of Antibiotics for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (ProACT) clinical trial: https://bit.ly/2BTZNsf A meta-analysis evaluating the effect of procalcitonin-guided treatment on mortality in acute respiratory infections: https://bit.ly/2Un6Lgz FDA Executive Summary on Procalcitonin assay: https://bit.ly/2EiBN4r BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey: https://amzn.to/2Ss0mPq Partners of the Heart by Vivien Thomas: https://amzn.to/2QC6vLP

Lung protective ventilation for ARDS includes the use of low tidal volumes, positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP), and limiting of airway plateau pressure to minimize ventilator-induced lung injury. However, in the sickest subset of patients with ARDS hypoxemia may persist despite optimal lung protective strategies. In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss salvage therapies for patients with refractory hypoxemia. Our guest is Dr. Robert Hyzy, Medical Director of the Critical Care Medicine Unit and Co-Chair of the Critical Care Committee at the University of Michigan Hospital.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a severe form of respiratory failure that affects approximately 200,000 patients each year in the United States, resulting in nearly 75,000 deaths annually. In this episode of Critical Matters, our guest Dr. R. Phillip Dellinger discusses the current management of patients with ARDS. Dr. Dellinger is a recognized thought leader in the field, a prolific author, an accomplished researcher, and the recipient of multiple awards for his contributions to critical care. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: The PROSEVA clinical trial showed that in patients with severe ARDS prone position ventilation improved mortality: https://bit.ly/2Dp3LdS The ACURASYS clinical study showed that in patients with severe ARDS 48 hours of neuromuscular blockade was associated with improved mortality: https://bit.ly/2FqI7Zn The EOLIA study was stooped early for futility. However, many think that it still has important findings regarding the use of ECMO in severe ARDS: https://bit.ly/2QI1Cxu BOOKS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE: Evidence-Based Critical Care: A Case Study Approach: https://amzn.to/2PYeD8V

Dr. Stephen Lapinsky, a practicing intensivist and professor at the University of Toronto, delves into the unique critical care challenges faced by pregnant patients. He discusses the increased thromboembolic risks due to pregnancy-related coagulation changes and outlines diagnostic methods for conditions like DVT and PE. Lapinsky highlights the importance of tailored treatments, such as low-molecular-weight heparin, and emphasizes crucial airway management strategies. He also tackles the complexities of cardiac arrest management, providing insights on resuscitation techniques and the benefits of timely perimortem cesarean sections.