IM Basics

In this episode of IM Basics , Dr. Eric Acker and co-host Dr. Tark take a deep dive into right ventricular (RV) failure—a high-risk but often under-recognized cause of clinical deterioration. The discussion frames RV failure as a problem of both forward flow limitation and backward congestion, emphasizing that a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction does not rule out severe cardiogenic path...

In this episode of IM Basics , Dr. Eric and Dr. Tark continue their shock series with a practical discussion of hypovolemic and hemorrhagic shock , focusing on bedside recognition, diagnostic strategies, and early management. The episode begins with a review of shock pathophysiology , emphasizing reduced preload as the primary driver of both conditions. Loss of intravascular volume leads to decrea...

Episode Summary Dr. Eric Acker is joined by Drs. Amulya, Michael Bass, and Nicole Ebalo to discuss Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) . The team reviews presentation, diagnosis, imaging, pathology, and management from mild to fulminant disease. Key Discussion Points 1. Presentation & Epidemiology Typical symptoms: diarrhea, abdominal pain, weight loss, fatigue . UC: Bloody diarrhea, urgency, ten...

In this episode of IM Basics , Dr. Eric Acker is joined by Dr. Harmandip Parmar for a deep dive into atrial fibrillation (AFib)—the most common sustained arrhythmia worldwide. They explore AFib’s definitions, staging, risk factors, clinical presentation, diagnostic strategies, and evidence-based management, with a focus on the latest 2023 ACC/AHA/ACCP/HRS Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management...

In this week’s episode, Eric is joined by Dr. Tark , now 3rd year resident, to break down the recognition and management of acute heart failure exacerbation . Key Discussion Points: Patient Presentation: Common symptoms include peripheral edema , pulmonary congestion with dyspnea , and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea . Physical exam findings such as S3/S4 gallops , jugular venous distension , and hep...

In this episode of "IM Basics," host Dr. Eric Acker is joined by Dr. Michael Bass to tackle the frequently encountered topic of alcohol withdrawal. They provide a comprehensive overview, starting with the fundamental definitions and pathophysiology, moving through patient presentation, workup, and the nuances of treatment. Learn to look beyond simply ordering a protocol and gain a deeper understan...

In this episode of "IM Basics," host Dr. Acker is joined by Dr. Harmandip Parmar, an intern with an interest in cardiology, to break down the essentials of heart block. They cover the full spectrum of atrioventricular (AV) blocks, from incidental findings on an ECG to symptomatic emergencies. Tune in to learn how to identify, investigate, and manage these crucial cardiac conditions. What You'll Le...

This episode of "IM Basics" provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of Multiple Myeloma. Dr. Eric Acker and Dr. Vinh Dao discuss the disease's non-specific presentation, diagnostic criteria (CRAB and SLIM), and essential workup procedures, including laboratory tests and imaging. The podcast also differentiates between MGUS, smoldering myeloma, and full-blown Multiple Myeloma, outlining when...

In this episode of "IM Basics," Dr. Amulya Anumolu provides a comprehensive overview of managing GI bleeds. Patients often present with signs of volume loss like hypotension, tachycardia, pallor, altered mental status, or dizziness. Common complaints include vomiting blood (hematochezia) or dark, sticky, foul-smelling stools (melena). Melena specifically indicates an upper GI bleed because blood d...

In this episode of IM Basics , Dr. Eric Acker and Dr. Tark break down the essentials of recognizing and managing hyperkalemia, a potentially life-threatening electrolyte disturbance. They discuss common presentations—ranging from dialysis patients to those with tumor lysis syndrome—and highlight key decision points in diagnosis and management. Topics Covered: Common presentations of hyperkalemia a...

In this educational episode of IM Basic , Drs. Eric Acker and Tark break down the complex topic of septic shock for PGY1 residents and medical students. They explore the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and diagnostic challenges of septic shock, emphasizing the importance of recognizing atypical signs like hypothermia and bradycardia. The discussion covers essential labs (lactate, procalcit...

Some may start off an internal medicine podcast on how to manage diabetes or hypertension, maybe even a discussion on sodium. We will get to all those topics in our podcast, but right off the bat, we wanted to start on a topic that is life or death: Shock. Recognizing a shock patient is sometimes easy and sometimes very difficult, as it can appear to be something else. We're going to do a series o...

This is just a prelude to the IM Basics podcast. This is just to introduce the hosts and set the scene for what this episode will attempt to accomplish. Please follow along to our other episodes and we hope you enjoy our topics and learn something that will improve your patient care.