ESICM Talk

When deciding whether to admit a patient to the ICU, the question is not only what we can do, but what we ought to do. In this podcast, we explore the ethical complexities of ICU admission, balancing the potential benefits and burdens of intensive care, patient preferences, prognostic uncertainty, and the fair allocation of limited resources. Drawing on the concept of proportionality, we discuss h...

What has changed in the 2025 ESICM guidelines on circulatory shock and haemodynamic monitoring, and what does it mean for clinical practice? In this podcast, our guest, Dr Antonio Messina, Chair of the CD Section, discusses the key updates in the new guidelines and explores practical approaches to assessing tissue perfusion and haemodynamic status, including the role of capillary refill time, peri...

How do you optimise drug dosing in a critically ill patient undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)? Drug dosing during CRRT can be challenging, with multiple factors influencing drug clearance and exposure. In the latest ESICM Podcast, experienced clinical pharmacists explore the key determinants of drug clearance during CRRT, focusing on the interplay between the patient, the drug...

This year, ESICM is proud to mark World Sepsis Day with a special podcast, "From Awareness to Action," featuring ESICM President Jan De Waele in conversation with Krista Bracke, sepsis survivor and advocate behind the initiative Sepsis Stronger Together . Together, they discuss what survival really costs, where the gaps between evidence and practice remain, what the new 2026 SSC Guidelines mean fo...

Why should every ICU clinician be prepared to recognise heat stroke? In this podcast, we explore the importance of early recognition and treatment of heat stroke, from the emergency department to the ICU. Discover how rapid intervention can dramatically improve outcomes, with survival rates of up to 80% when treatment is initiated early. We also discuss the key clinical signs to look out for—inclu...

Whole blood has made a remarkable comeback in trauma care—but is it here to stay? In this thought-provoking podcast, leading experts unpack the latest evidence comparing whole blood with component therapy in the pre-hospital setting, challenge current practices, and explore what the future may hold. From military experience to civilian emergency care, discover how research is reshaping transfusion...

What are the benefits of moving from controlled to assisted mechanical ventilation in patients with Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure (AHRF)? In this podcast, experts discuss the physiological rationale behind this transition, the potential advantages for patient recovery, and the risks clinicians need to consider. Join us as we explore the latest evidence and practical approaches to optimising...

Sepsis care is evolving fast. Are you keeping up? Don’t miss this podcast episode, where we explore the latest clinical trials reshaping antibiotic therapy for severe infections, from optimised treatment durations to precision-driven de-escalation strategies. What does this new evidence mean for your day-to-day decisions in the ICU? We then turn to one of the most exciting frontiers in intensive c...

What does advanced practice really look like in the ICU? In this podcast episode, we are joined by two advanced intensive care practitioners who share their roles, career journeys, and impact within the multidisciplinary team. Through real-world perspectives, this episode highlights the growing influence of nursing and allied health professionals in intensive care and how their expertise enhances...

What truly matters in recovery after critical illness? In this episode, we explore the unmet needs in Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) and question whether current approaches are capturing the outcomes that matter most to patients and families. Join us as we discuss the challenges of measuring physical, cognitive, and psychological recovery after ICU, the gaps that still exist in long-term foll...

In this episode of the educational podcast, we explore what precision nutrition truly means in intensive care. While the concept is widely discussed in research, many studies remain descriptive or rely mainly on adjusted data, raising important questions about their real clinical impact. Together with the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Prof. Kenneth B. Christop...

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in critically ill patients and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, the clinical relevance of AKI extends well beyond the acute episode. Renal recovery plays a crucial role in determining long-term patient outcomes, including the risk of chronic kidney disease, long-term dialysis dependence, and overall quality of lif...

Did you know that preparing patients before an ICU stay can lead to better recovery after? Prehabilitation programmes focus on strengthening physical, cognitive, and metabolic health before critical illness, ensuring a smoother rehabilitation journey post-discharge. Our NEXT colleagues dive into this crucial topic with expert guests, exploring how early intervention can transform patient outcomes....

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) refers to the prolonged impairment of physical, cognitive, and mental health that can occur after an intensive care stay. Its effects may last for over a decade after discharge. Our NEXT colleagues have explored this important topic in their podcast featuring Dr. Anne-Francoise Rousseau who addresses key questions and future strategies for managing PICS. Do not...

Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) can be a challenging experience for patients and their families. Psychological burdens, including symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress, are among the most reported during the ICU stay. A recent study has been carried out as a joint project between France and the United States in which the experts have designed an intervention to impro...

The latest guidelines released from the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) are about end-of-life (EOL) and palliative care for critically ill adults! This comprehensive work, developed by an international, multi-disciplinary team of clinical experts, a methodologist, and patient and family representatives, is now accessible to all clinicians. We had the privilege of interviewing P...

Mechanical ventilation (MV) can impair gas exchange, destabilise hemodynamics, and injure endothelial cells. Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy helps to restore hemodynamics and ensure adequate distal organ perfusion. However, the interplay between restrictive and liberal fluid strategies due to the complex physiological interaction between the heart and lungs may affect ventilation and risk organ dam...

The early initiation of vasopressors, ideally within the first hour of diagnosing septic shock, is emerging as a preferred strategy. This approach offers a multimodal action with potential benefits, including reduced morbidity and mortality. Prompt vasopressor therapy is crucial for effective management in septic shock patients. To dive deeper into the timing and administration of vasopressors, jo...

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) represent sudden and severe declines in airway function and respiratory symptoms in COPD patients. The clinical presentation of AECOPD is diverse, demanding a treatment approach tailored to disease severity—beginning with antibiotic therapy and, in critical cases, advancing to mechanical ventilation for respiratory support. Tune...

Septic shock triggers a dangerous drop in blood pressure and restricts blood flow to vital organs, making rapid intervention essential to prevent organ failure. This podcast will explore the power of a multimodal treatment approach—combining tailored medications, precise dosing, and supportive therapies—to amplify the body’s response to vasopressors. Don’t miss this insightful discussion!

Autonomic dysfunction and tachycardia are strongly linked to poor outcomes in septic shock, contributing to high mortality rates. In the upcoming podcast, we explore whether β-blockade with landiolol for up to 14 days can reduce organ failure, as measured by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, in critically ill patients with tachycardia and septic shock who have been on high-dose...

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a rare but devastating condition, marked by high global rates of fatality and long-term disability. Key factors influencing patient outcomes include early brain injury, aneurysm rebleeding, and delayed cerebral ischemia. In this podcast, Dr. Chiara Robba and Dr. Laura Galarza explore the epidemiology, treatment strategies, and the identification and man...