Critical Matters

In this episode of Critical Matters, we provide an update on the COVID-19 epidemic. As the epidemic continues to spread at a rapid pace around the world new information and guidance from health care authorities is coming at a furious pace. Our guest is Dr. Raquel Nahra, a critical care and infectious disease specialist. Dr. Nahra is faculty at the Cooper Medical School of Rowan University. In addi...

In this episode of Critical Matters we discuss the outbreak of a novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV), a rapidly evolving epidemic that originated in China and now declared a health care emergency by the World Health Organization (WHO). In this episode, we discuss current understanding regarding the virus and its clinical impact. Our guest is Dr. Raquel Nahra, a critical care and infectious disease speci...

Transfusion of blood product is common in the intensive care unit. Blood product transfusions can be associated with complications and are often given in situations without a clear cut indication. In this episode of Critical Matters, we will discuss current evidence and proper use of blood products in the ICU. Our guest is Dr. Janice Zimmerman an adjunct Professor of Medicine at Baylor College of...

In this episode of Critical Matters, we will discuss the latest evidence, the proper management and potential pitfalls of acute severe hypertension. Our guest is Dr. Aldo Peixoto. Dr. Peixoto is Professor of Medicine in the Section of Nephrology at the Yale University School of Medicine. He is also Vice Chair for Quality & Safety (Department of Internal Medicine) and Clinical Chief of the Section...

In this episode of Critical Matters, listen to the recording of the Sound Critical Care’s latest webinar, Outliers and Super Users: Targeting Prolonged Use of MV in the ICU. Critically ill patients requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation have poor clinical outcomes and consume a disproportionate amount of resources. In this webinar, we will discuss outliers and super users in the ICU utilizing...

Point-of-care ultrasound continues to grow in availability and is now embedded in many critical care practices. In this episode Critical Matters, we discuss the use of point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) in the management of hypotension and shock. Our guest is Dr. Haney Mallemat a recognized educator with a strong interest in POCUS. Dr. Mallemat holds dual academic appointments in Critical Care Medic...

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) affects more than one million people annually, worldwide, and is the deadliest and most disabling type of stroke. In this episode of Critical Matters we will discuss the critical care management of ICH. Our guest is Dr. Sayona John, Associate Professor in the Department of Neurological Sciences at Rush Medical College. She is a practicing neurointensivist and also se...

Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a common cause of mortality, and its management remains challenging despite significant advances in treatment options. In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss basic concepts, a new proposed classification, and updates on the medical management of patients with cardiogenic shock. Our guest is Dr. Steve Hollenberg, a practicing cardiologist with dual training in car...

In this episode of Critical Matters, we will discuss the recently published CITRIS-ALI clinical trial evaluating the role of high dose Vitamin C in severe sepsis and ARDS. Our guest is Dr. Emily Brant. Dr. Brant is a practicing intensivist and faculty at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She was the lead author in the JAMA editorial entitled “Is High-Dose Vitamin C Beneficial for Patien...

Acute ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Intensive care management of strokes is focused on reducing complications related to reperfusion treatment and decreasing secondary neurological injury. In this episode of Critical Matters, we will discuss the critical care management of acute ischemic strokes. Our guest is Dr. Sayona John, Associate Professor in the De...

Acute abdominal complications developing in critically ill patients in the ICU can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss a variety of acute abdominal complications such as abdominal compartment syndrome, acalculous cholecystitis, toxic megacolon and ischemic bowel. Our guest is Dr. Samuel Tisherman. Dr. Tisherman is a surgical criti...

In this episode of Critical Matters, listen to the recording of Sound Critical Care’s webinar, Personalized Selection of Vasopressors in the Treatment of Shock. Our guest for this episode is Dr. Lakhmir Chawla, Chief Medical Officer of La Jolla Pharmaceutical in San Diego, California. During this webinar, we discuss lessons learned from the clinical use of the new vasopressor Angiotensin II, as we...

Hyponatremia and hypernatremia are common in ICU patients and they are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss the diagnostic approach and treatment of sodium disorders in the ICU. Our guest is Dr. Lawrence Weisberg, Head of the Division of Nephrology and Deputy Chair of Medicine at Cooper University Health Care. Dr. Weisberg is also Profe...

In this episode of Critical Matters, we will discuss the role of early neuromuscular blockers in the treatment of severe ARDS. Our guest is Dr. Arthur Slutsky, Professor of Medicine, Surgery and Biomedical Engineering at the University of Toronto. Dr. Slutsky is a world-renowned clinician and investigator with a special interest in ARDS. We will review a recently published clinical trial and discu...

One in five US residents receives ICU care at the end of life. In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss different aspects of end of life care in the ICU. Our guest is Dr. BJ Miller, a palliative care physician at the University of California, San Francisco and former Executive Director of Zen Hospice Project. He is a powerful advocate for the role of our senses, community, and presence in d...

In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss lessons learned from the clinical use of Angiotensin II (GIAPREZA™), which was approved for use in patients with vasodilatory shock a little over a year ago. Our guest is Dr. Lakhmir S. Chawla, Chief Medical Officer of La Jolla Pharmaceutical in San Diego, California. Dr. Chawla was the designer and lead investigator of the ATHOS (Angiotensin II for...

In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss acute neuromuscular disorders in the intensive care unit with Dr. M. Kamran Athar. The discussion focuses on the Guillain-Barre Syndrome and Myasthenia Gravis. Dr. M. Kamran Athar is a practicing neuro intensivist at the Farber Institute for Neuroscience in Philadelphia. Dr. Athar is an assistant professor of Medicine and of Neurology at the Jefferso...

In this episode, we discuss compassion in the ICU with Dr. Stephen Trzeciak. Dr. Trzeciak is Chief of Medicine at Cooper University Health Care, and Professor and Chair of Medicine at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in Camden, New Jersey. He is the co-author of a recently published book “Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence that Caring Makes a Difference. In addition, D...

In this episode, we discuss Toxicology in the ICU. This is part two of a two-part series. Today’s episode will focus on specific toxic ingestions and their management. Our guest is Dr. Jerrold B. Leikin. Dr. Leikin is the Director of Medical Toxicology at North Shore University Health System-OMEGA, which includes several hospitals in Illinois. In addition, he is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at...

In this episode, we discuss toxicology in the ICU. This is part one of a two-part series. Today’s episode will focus on an overview of toxic ingestions and their general management. Our guest is Dr. Jerrold B. Leikin. Dr. Leikin is the Director of Medical Toxicology at North Shore University Health System-OMEGA, which includes several hospitals in Illinois. In addition, he is a Clinical Professor...

In this episode, we discuss the long term effects of critical illness on cognitive impairment. Our guest is Dr. James Jackson. Dr. Jackson is the Assistant Director of The ICU Recovery Center at Vanderbilt, a Research Associate Professor, and the lead psychologist for the Critical Illness, Brain Dysfunction and Survivorship (CIBS) Center at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. Additional...

For a long time death has been understood as the cessation of cardiopulmonary function. With the advent of mechanical ventilation and life support in the ICU, the concept of brain death emerged. In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss the determination of death by neurologic criteria. Our guest is Dr. Fred Rincon, Associate Professor of Neurology and Neurological Surgery at Thomas Jefferso...

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:...

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 Criti...

In this episode of Critical Matters, we take a deep dive in delirium with Wesley Ely, MD. Dr. Ely is a professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the co-director of the Center for Critical Illness, Brain dysfunction, and Survivorship (CIBS Center), which has enrolled thousands of patients into clinical trials answering vital questions about ICU acquired brain disease and...