eCritCare Podcast

In this episode, Dr Swapnil Pawar is joined by Dr Jose Chacko to discuss the 2026 American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology guidelines on the management of pulmonary embolism. We cover the new A to E classification, evaluation and diagnostic algorithms, acute management including the role of PERT teams, advanced reperfusion therapies, and the updated recommendations on anticoag...

In this episode, we discuss the recently published SWITCH trial which compared the efficacy of decompressive craniectomy with best medical treatment vs best medical treatment alone for deep intra-cerebral hemorrhage.

In this episode, we discuss the etiology of diaphragmatic dysfunction, its management and strategies for prevention. 

In this episode, we discuss the recently published RCT AMIKINHAL, which tested the efficacy of inhaled amikacin in preventing VAP in ICU patients who were ventilated for> 72 hours. Although, this trail demonstrated reduced incidence of VAP in intervention arm, it's premature to adopt these practices widely in intensive care.

In this episode, we discuss recently published RCT in JAMA "NICO trial", which evaluated the role of GCS based intubation vs non-invasive airway management. It is important to understand the nuances before generalising the conclusion of this trial.

In this episode, we discuss the recently published RCT in NEJM, which challenged the current dogma regarding the role of IV thyroxine in potential organ donor patient population. 

In this episode, we discuss the recently published RCT "ECLS-Shock" trial in NEJM. This trial tested the benefit of instituting early extra-corporeal support in cardiogenic shock and suggested more harm in intervention arm compared to control arm. 

In this episode, we discuss recently published landmark RCT which compared the timing for initiation of oral anticoagulation in patients who presented with ischaemic stroke with rapid AF. 

In this episode, we discuss the controversy surrounding the usage of steroids in Community-acquired pneumonia. This controversy arose after the CAPE-COD trial was published recently in NEJM. We discuss the pros and cons of administering steroids as a blanket treatment. We recommend caution and suggest considering the external validity of this trial before changing your practices.

In this episode, we discuss recently published RCT "MERCY Trial" which evaluated the efficacy of continuous infusion vs intermittent dosing strategy of Meropenem.

In this episode, we discuss the recently published RCT "PATCH Trial", which evaluated the efficacy of pre-hospital tranexamic acid in patients with severe trauma. This trial confirmed the results of CRASH-2 trial, which demonstrated 28-day mortality benefit with the use of tranexaic acid in trauma if administered in < 3 hours. However, it failed to demonstrate any significant benefit with favourab...

In this episode, we discuss recenetly published RCT, which compared the role of craniotomy vs decompressive craniectomy in managing acute SDH.

In this episode, we discuss the recently published non-inferiority RCT "PACER Trial", which evaluated the efficacy of prophylactic platelet transfusion in thrombocytopenic patients requiring CVC insertion.

In this episode, Prof Ian Seppelt, one of the lead investigators of SuDDICU, shares his insights and talks about the rationale for SDD in ICU. He also explains the reasons behind the failure to change practices despite the evidence of mortality benefit from the recent meta-analysis. He discusses the future of SDD and the strategy for its widespread adaptation.

In this episode, we dive deeper into the controversy surrounding using high-flow nasal cannula vs NIV in high-risk patients to prevent reintubation. The recently published trial raised some crucial questions and forced us to reconsider our overall approach to extubation in this subset of patients. 

In this episode, we discuss recently published RCT, which demonstrated the mortality benefit in Community-acquired pneumonia.

In this episode, we discuss the recently published RCT in NEJM, which evaluated the efficacy of ECMO CPR ( eCPR) in patients with OHCA secondary to a shockable rhythm. 

In this episode, we discuss the recently published CLOVERs trial, which compared fluid dominant vs vasopressor-dominant resuscitation strategies for patients in septic shock. 

In this podcast, we discuss another RCT which evaluated the efficacy of restrictive Vs liberal oxygenation targets in comatose OHCA survivors.  The trial showed no difference between the two groups w.r.t 90-day mortality or discharge from hospital 

In this episode, we discuss the recently published DOSE VF trial, which evaluated the efficacy of early double sequential defibrillation strategy over vector change and standard defibrillation strategies. This trial has demonstrated that this innovative strategy has the potential to improve mortality and is likely to change our practices.

In this episode, we discuss the recently published RCT "TEAM trial", which evaluated the role of early mobilisation in mechanically ventilated intensive care patients. 

In this episode, we discuss the SETPOINT 2 trial, which evaluated the controversy around the timing of tracheostomy. 

In this episode, we discuss a recently published randomised controlled trial evaluating the role of aggressive fluid resuscitation strategy in mild acute pancreatitis. 

Join us in this episode to discuss the evidence behind the use of tranexamic acid for various indications in intensive care. 

In our landmark 100th episode, we discuss the controversy around one of the most commonly used drugs in intensive care, i.e. Oxygen. In this episode, we dive deeper into the available evidence and recommend our approach for using oxygen in critically ill patients.