
Critical Matters
Podcast by Sound Physicians
Latest episodes

Jan 28, 2021 • 1h 2min
Professional Transcendence
Burnout is a major problem in critical care medicine. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this problem. However, we as clinicians should aspire to more from our careers than the mere elimination or mitigation of burnout. In today's episode of the podcast, we will explore some ideas that go beyond burnout. This is a recent talk given by Dr. Zanotti entitled, “Finding Joy in our Work, The Path to Professional Transcendence”.
Additional Resources:
Video - Professional Transcendence: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/oOIGXeROd7/files/fi-68608c75-317c-4c74-a067-9b5fe8897866/fv-30bff5a8-1deb-4579-ad57-4fff440edf40/Finding Joy in Work_ The Path to Professional Transcendence .mp4
Books Mentioned in this Episode:
The Enchiridion by Epictetus: https://www.amazon.com/Enchiridion-Epictetus/dp/1503226948/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1611795176&sr=8-6
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl: https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Search-Meaning-Viktor-Frankl/dp/0807014273/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1611795263&sr=8-1
Deep Work by Cal Newport: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Work-Focused-Success-Distracted/dp/0349411905/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1611795325&sr=8-1

12 snips
Jan 14, 2021 • 46min
Management Of Acute - On - Chronic Liver Failure: Part 2
In this episode of Critical Matters, we will continue our discussion on the management of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in the ICU. Part 2 will cover pulmonary, rena,l and endocrine recommendations for ACLF patients. In a previous episode (Management of ACLF: Part 1) we covered an introduction to ACLF, cardiovascular, and hematology management recommendations.
Our guest is Dr. Nanchal, a practicing critical care physician with an interest in liver disease. He is a Professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, at the Medical College of Wisconsin, in Milwaukee. Dr. Nanchal is the lead author of the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s Guideline for the Management of Adult Acute and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in the ICU.
Additional Resources:
Executive Summary for Guideline for the Management of Adult Acute and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in the ICU: journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Fullt…cute_and.17.aspx
Guideline for the Management of Adult Acute and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in the ICU: journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Fullt…cute_and.29.aspx
SCCM Liver Guidelines: www.sccm.org/getattachment/Rese…s-Table-Part-1.pdf
Books Mentioned in this Episode:
Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman

23 snips
Dec 25, 2020 • 54min
Management Of Acute - On - Chronic Liver Failure: Part 1
In this episode of Critical Matters, we will discuss the management of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in the ICU.
Our guest is Dr. Nanchal, a practicing critical care physician with an interest in liver disease. He is a professor in the Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. Dr. Nanchal is the lead author of the Society of Critical Care Medicine’s Guideline for the Management of Adult Acute and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in the ICU.
This episode is part of a two-part series focused on ACLF. Part 1 will cover an introduction to ACLF, cardiovascular, and hematology. Part 2 will cover pulmonary, renal, and endocrine recommendations for ACLF patients.
Additional Resources:
Executive Summary for Guideline for the Management of Adult Acute and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in the ICU: https://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Fulltext/2020/03000/Guidelines_for_the_Management_of_Adult_Acute_and.17.aspx
Guideline for the Management of Adult Acute and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure in the ICU: https://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/Fulltext/2020/03000/Guidelines_for_the_Management_of_Adult_Acute_and.29.aspx
SCCM Liver Guidelines: https://www.sccm.org/getattachment/Research/Guidelines/Guidelines/Guidelines-for-the-Management-of-Adult-Acute-and-A/SCCM-Liver-Guidelines-Table-Part-1.pdf
Books Mentioned in this Episode:
Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman: https://www.amazon.com/Thinking-Fast-Slow-Daniel-Kahneman

Dec 10, 2020 • 56min
Thrombosis In COVID - 19
In this episode of Critical Matters, we will discuss thrombosis in COVID-19. We will discuss the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of arterial and venous thrombosis in COVID-19.
Our guest is Dr. Gregory Piazza, a cardiovascular medicine specialist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston. Dr. Piazza is the Director of the Vascular Medicine Section, in the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, and Associate Professor of Medicine, at Harvard Medical School.
Additional Resources:
Diagnosis, Management, and Pathophysiology of Arterial and Venous Thrombosis in COVID-19: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2773516
Registry of Arterial and Venous Thromboembolic Complications in Patients with COVID-19: https://www.jacc.org/doi/full/10.1016/j.jacc.2020.08.070
ACCP Guidelines for Management Thromboembolism in COVID-19: https://journal.chestnet.org/article/S0012-3692(20)31625-1/fulltext
ISTH Guidelines for Management of Thromboembolism in COVID-19: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jth.14929
Books Mentioned in this Episode:
Dune by Frank Herbert: https://www.amazon.com/Dune-Frank-Herbert

Nov 26, 2020 • 60min
Above Average - How To Make Teams Better
In this episode of Critical Matters, we will discuss how to make teams better. Teams are ubiquitous in the practice of critical care medicine. Understanding the elements that are required for a high functioning team is essential in our quest to deliver high-value critical care. This episode is based on a presentation given by Dr. Zanotti during the latest Sound Critical Care Leadership Week.
Additional Resources:
Video - "Above Average: How to Make Teams Better": https://comms.soundphysicians.com/PoliteMail/default.aspx?page=T_URXujah06Y_lZQ2A3mwA&ref_id=Elw9rkGRI0iH80DrpDyi4w
The Firm Specificity of Individual Performance: Evidence from Cardiac Surgery: https://pubsonline.informs.org/doi/10.1287/mnsc.1050.0464
Evidence for a Collective Intelligence Factor in the Performance of Human Groups: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20929725/
The Global Study of Engagement: https://www.adp.com/Global_Study_Engagement
Learning New Technical and Interpersonal Routines in Operating Room Teams: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1016/S1534-0856(00)03003-6/full/html
Previous Episode - “Circle Up”: https://soundphysicians.com/podcast-critical-matters/?episode=circle-up

Nov 12, 2020 • 58min
Death By Neurologic Criteria
In this episode of Critical Matters, we will discuss brain death by neurologic criteria. Brain death remains an important topic within the practice of critical care medicine. However, there are still inconsistencies in concept, criteria, practice, and documentation of brain death. Today we will discuss this topic through the lens of "The World Brain Death Project."
Our guest is Dr. David Greer, Chair of the Department of Neurology at the Boston University School of Medicine. Dr. Greer is a renowned clinician, educator, and researcher.
Additional Resources:
Determination of Brain Death/Death by Neurologic Criteria: The World Brain Death Project: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32761206/
Determination of Brain Death/Death by Neurologic Criteria - The World Brain Death Project (Video): https://edhub.ama-assn.org/jn-learning/video-player/18529668
Controversies in Brain Death Declaration: Legal and Ethical Implications in the ICU: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7223748/
Books Mentioned in this Episode:
The Boys in the Boat by Daniel J. Brown: https://www.amazon.com/Boys-Boat
Brain Death by Eelco Wijdicks: https://www.amazon.com/Brain-Death-Eelco-F-M-Wijdicks/

Oct 29, 2020 • 1h 13min
Circle Up
In this episode of Critical Matters, we will discuss innovation in care through the lens of process and workflow. Over the last several months, we have discussed new drugs, novel therapeutic approaches, and ventilator management strategies. However, the most vital source of innovation and success has been adapting to COVID-19 with new ICU workflows.
Our guest is Dr. Laura Rock, a pulmonary and critical care physician at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Dr. Rock is also faculty at Harvard Medical School, at the Center for Medical Simulation and is a trained Vital Talk instructor. She shares with us the concept of "Circle Up".
Additional Resources:
"Circle Up": Workflow Adaptation and Psychological Support via Briefing, Debriefing, and Peer Support: https://catalyst.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/CAT.20.0240
Emotions and COVID-19: GIVE to Connect, Understand, and Support: https://litfl.com/emotions-and-covid-19-give-to-connect-understand-and-support/
Don't Answer Feelings with Facts: https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/04/13/laura-k-rock-dont-answer-feelings-with-facts/
An excellent resource to learn more about "Circle Up": https://harvardmedsim.org/circleup/
VitalTalk - Resource for Patient/Family Communication: https://www.vitaltalk.org/resources/
Books Mentioned in this Episode:
In Shock by Rana Awdish: https://www.amazon.com/Shock-Journey-Death-Recovery-Redemptive/
What Doctors Feel by Daniel Ofri: https://www.amazon.com/What-Doctors-Feel/
Being Mortal by Atul Gawande: https://www.amazon.com/Being-Mortal-Medicine-What-Matters/
Humble Inquiry by Edgar Shein: https://www.amazon.com/Humble-Inquiry-Gentle-Instead-Telling/

Oct 8, 2020 • 1h 13min
Liberation From Mechanical Ventilation
In this episode of Critical Matters, we will discuss mechanical ventilation.
Our guest is Dr. Eduardo Mireles-Cabodevila, a practicing pulmonary critical care physician and Director of the Medical Intensive Care Unit at the Cleveland Clinic. His areas of clinical interest are critical care medicine, application of mechanical ventilation, acute and chronic respiratory failure, and extracorporeal life support. Our conversation covers general concepts related to liberation from mechanical ventilation, weaning from mechanical ventilation, and also examines how these concepts may apply to COVID-19 patients.
Additional Resources:
Liberation From Mechanical Ventilation in Critically Ill Adults: An Official American College of Chest Physicians/American Thoracic Society Clinical Practice Guideline: Inspiratory Pressure Augmentation During Spontaneous Breathing Trials, Protocols Minimizing Sedation, and Noninvasive Ventilation Immediately After Extubation: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27818331/
An Official American Thoracic Society/American College of Chest Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline: Liberation from Mechanical Ventilation in Critically Ill Adults. Rehabilitation Protocols, Ventilator Liberation Protocols, and Cuff Leak Tests: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27762595/
Tracheostomy in the COVID-19 Era: Global and Multidisciplinary Guidance: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32422180/
Lung Ultrasound Allows the Diagnosis of Weaning-Induced Pulmonary Edema: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30863935/
Previous episode of Critical Matters on Prolonged Mechanical Ventilation: https://critical-matters/outliers-and-super-users:-targeting-prolonged-use-of-mv-in-the-icu
Books Mentioned in this Episode:
William Osler: A Life in Medicine by Michael Bliss: https://www.amazon.com/William-Osler

Sep 10, 2020 • 53min
Corticosteroids in COVID-19 ARDS
In this episode of Critical Matters, we will take a deep dive into the topic of corticosteroids in COVID-19 ARDS.
Our guest is Todd Rice, MD, an Associate Professor of Medicine in the Division of Allergy, Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine at Vanderbilt University. Dr. Rice is an accomplished physician-scientist focused on research in patients with sepsis, ARDS, and acute respiratory failure. He recently co-authored an editorial published in JAMA; “Corticosteroids in COVID-19 ARDS: Evidence and Hope During the Pandemic.”
Additional Resources:
Corticosteroids in COVID-19 ARDS: https://bit.ly/3bFbFig
PROSPERO Meta Analysis: https://bit.ly/3m69rgD
RECOVERY Clinical Trial: https://bit.ly/35t59Ka
REMAP-CAP Clinical Trial: https://bit.ly/3m2Hkz3
CODEX Clinical Trial: https://bit.ly/3bJQdbU
CAPE-COVID Clinical Trial: https://bit.ly/3it8Xz7
Books Mentioned in this Episode:
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi: https://amzn.to/2ZlVZeX

Aug 27, 2020 • 1h 27min
Towards Personalized Vasopressor Support
In this episode of Critical Matters, we will discuss hypotension and new data on Angiotensin II within the context of our path towards personalized vasopressor support.
Our guest is Dr. Ashish K. Khanna. Dr. Khanna is an anesthesia and critical care practicing physician. He is Associate Professor, and Section Head for Research, in the Department of Anesthesiology, Section on Critical Care Medicine of the Wake Forest School of Medicine, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. He is a prolific author and researcher and was the lead author of the ATHOS-3 study in the New England Journal of Medicine. The results of which led to the approval of Angiotensin II as a vasopressor for the treatment of refractory hypotension in adults with septic or other types of distributive shock.
Links:
The Relationship Between ICU Hypotension and In-Hospital Mortality and Morbidity in Septic Patients: https://bit.ly/2D1epJQ
Association between Mean Arterial Pressure and Acute Kidney Injury and a Composite of Myocardial Injury and Mortality in Postoperative Critically Ill Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Analysis: https://bit.ly/2QuyStz
Angiotensin II for the Treatment of Vasodilatory Shock (ATHOS-3 Trial): https://bit.ly/2G27hhB
Survival After Shock Requiring High-Dose Vasopressor Therapy: https://bit.ly/2EkLm4P
Renin as a Marker of Tissue-Perfusion and Prognosis in Critically Ill Patients: https://bit.ly/3jiKT1L
Renin and Survival in Patients Given Angiotensin II for Catecholamine-Resistant Vasodilatory Shock: https://bit.ly/2G1tZGB
Additional Content Related to Angiotensin II:
Angiotensin II for Vasodilatory Shock: 2019 Update: https://bit.ly/3hvVkyA
Personalization of Vasopressor Therapy in the Treatment of Vasodilatory Shock: https://bit.ly/3hy7wyD