GasGasGas - Anaesthetic Science for Anaesthesia!
Dr Gas - Anaesthesia Education
An Anaesthesia Podcast focusing on the science knowledge anaesthetists should know. We track the UK Primary FRCA Curriculum.> GasGasGas will fit into a corner of your day, delivering a treatise on a drug, concept or practice critical to the knowledge required to pass the FRCA Primary Exam!
> There are naturally tangents, as hearing a word vomit of data with no joy is not the aim of Dr gas!
> This is relevant to anyone in the world interested in these pharmacological, physiological, clinical, physical and chemical concepts,
> Notes on https:/gasgasgas.uk
> Sponsored by Teach Me Anaesthetics SBA Resource
All content is my personal opinion, not medical advice and is never a substitute for formal education / training.
© GasGasGas – The FRCA Primary Anaesthetic Sciences Podcast 2025
> There are naturally tangents, as hearing a word vomit of data with no joy is not the aim of Dr gas!
> This is relevant to anyone in the world interested in these pharmacological, physiological, clinical, physical and chemical concepts,
> Notes on https:/gasgasgas.uk
> Sponsored by Teach Me Anaesthetics SBA Resource
All content is my personal opinion, not medical advice and is never a substitute for formal education / training.
© GasGasGas – The FRCA Primary Anaesthetic Sciences Podcast 2025
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 26, 2025 • 27min
Dexmedetomidine in Anaesthesia: Sedation, Anaesthesia & Regional Techniques
Discover the fascinating world of dexmedetomidine, a newly embraced sedative in the UK. Unravel its unique alpha-2 agonism and how it creates sleep-like sedation. Learn about its clinical applications, including its use in awake craniotomies and pediatric sedation. The discussion covers its side effects, like cardiovascular impacts and minimal respiratory depression. Plus, insights into its pharmacokinetics reveal important information about dosing and metabolism. Perfect for anyone looking to deepen their knowledge in anaesthetics!
Sep 19, 2025 • 21min
Midazolam: Sedation & peri-Anaesthetic uses + GABA Receptors
Explore the fascinating world of midazolam, the go-to benzodiazepine in perioperative settings. Discover its rapid action, unique pharmacokinetics, and vital role in sedation and amnesia. Learn about dosing strategies, especially for pediatric premedication, and the potential risks for vulnerable patients. Uncover how midazolam interacts with the GABA-A receptor and reduces MAC during procedures. The conversation also delves into practical applications in critical intubations and managing alcohol withdrawal, making it essential for any anaesthetic professional.
Sep 12, 2025 • 23min
Etomidate Anaesthesia: Pharma, Adrenal Suppression & Clinical Use
Delve into the fascinating world of Etomidate, from its GABA-A activity to its adverse effects like myoclonus. Explore dosing nuances and its hemodynamic stability in sedation. Learn about the drug's impact on adrenal suppression and enzyme inhibition, and consider the clinical applications alongside toxicity. The discussion also covers intriguing historical findings in ICU settings and research on Etomidate analogues. With insights on steroidogenesis and bioavailability, this discussion is packed with essential details for aspiring anesthetists!
Sep 5, 2025 • 20min
Stereoisomers & Chirality: Pharmacology Fundamentals for FRCA Primary
Dive into the fascinating world of molecular stereochemistry! Discover how the 3D arrangement of atoms in anaesthetic drugs can lead to beneficial or harmful effects. From exploring isomerism to understanding the crucial differences between types like positional and geometric isomers, the discussion highlights key examples such as isoflurane and mivacurium. Learn about enantiomers, their chiral centers, and notable drugs like warfarin that demonstrate the clinical importance of these concepts. It's a must-listen for future anaesthetists!
Aug 29, 2025 • 30min
Peri-Neural Local Anaesthetic Adjuncts for Regional Anaesthesia
Dive into the fascinating world of peri-neural local anaesthetic adjuncts! Discover the rationale behind extending block duration and learn about effective strategies like vasoconstrictors and modified-release formulations. Explore non-hypnotic options such as adrenaline and magnesium, alongside the effects of sodium bicarbonate and hyaluronidase. Find out about the innovative uses of ketamine and midazolam, and the benefits of opioid adjuncts like buprenorphine. The discussion wraps up with insights on liposomal bupivacaine and practical recommendations.
Aug 22, 2025 • 19min
Local Anaesthetics Quiz: FRCA Primary Viva Practice Questions
Dive into the intriguing world of local anaesthetics in a quiz format! Explore how sodium channel blockade works and learn about the susceptibility of different nerve fibers. Discover the chemical structures of amide versus ester agents and their unique metabolic pathways. Compare lidocaine and bupivacaine, along with the advantages of levobupivacaine. Find out how infection affects anaesthetic effectiveness and why bicarbonate can speed up onset. Plus, get tips on managing systemic toxicity. It's both educational and entertaining!
Aug 22, 2025 • 16min
Local Anaesthetics Summary: Complete Review for FRCA Primary Exam
Dive into the fascinating world of local anesthetics! Discover the chemical structures that differentiate esters from amides, and learn essential mnemonics for memorizing pKa values. Compare the onset and offset times of various anesthetics while grasping their mechanisms of action. Uncover the potential side effects, including cardiotoxicity and methemoglobinemia, plus how to recognize systemic toxicity signs. Lastly, hear about innovative solutions like intralipid for toxicity management. Get ready to test your knowledge with an exciting quiz!
Aug 14, 2025 • 37min
LAST: Local Anaesthetic Systemic Toxicity Management for Anaesthetists/Emergency Docs
Explore the critical topic of local anaesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) and its implications in regional anaesthesia. Learn about the risks from different injection sites, toxic dose limits, and emergency management protocols. Discover the significance of immediate actions during LAST, including resuscitation priorities and lipid emulsion treatment. Delve into changing patterns of LAST incidence, mitigating strategies, and the importance of dose adjustments for high-risk patients. This episode emphasizes vigilance and clear communication for safe anaesthetic practices.
Aug 8, 2025 • 21min
Ropivacaine: The local anaesthetic better than levobupivacaine?
This discussion delves into the fascinating world of ropivacaine, a local anaesthetic essential for exam prep. Highlights include its unique enantiomeric purity and the critical differences in motor block onset compared to bupivacaine. Dr. Gas Lurks also tackles its clinical uses, dosing guidelines, and impressive safety profile, showcasing its lower cardiotoxicity. The podcast interestingly links historical spinal anaesthesia cases to current practices, emphasizing the importance of sterilization and caution with chlorhexidine. A must-listen for future anaesthetists!
Jul 31, 2025 • 25min
Lidocaine Pharmacology: Amide Local Anaesthetic not for Spinal Anaesthesia
This episode dives into lidocaine, a local anaesthetic used extensively in clinical settings. It explores its mechanisms, various formulations like sprays and patches, and its effects on the cardiovascular and central nervous systems. Listeners learn about lidocaine's unique properties, including its role in pain management through IV infusions. It also covers dosing limits, pitfalls in spinal applications, and highlights the complexities of its pharmacokinetics. A practical discussion on enhancing efficacy and safety wraps up the enlightening session.
