GasGasGas - The FRCA Primary Exam Podcast

Dive into the world of remifentanil, a potent synthetic opioid that every anaesthetist dreams of for its rapid effects and easy dosing. Discover how it works on opioid receptors and the crucial sites in the CNS that influence its efficacy. Learn about the advantages of the Minto TCI model for tailoring anesthesia in various surgical procedures. From its quick onset and offset times to the potential adverse effects, this discussion is a must-listen for anyone interested in modern anaesthesia techniques!

Dive into the world of neuraxial opiate pharmacology as James unpacks the fascinating journey of opioid molecules in the epidural space. Discover why these opioids are administered, how they differ from systemic options, and the anatomical nuances that affect their behavior. Learn about the comparison between morphine, fentanyl, and diamorphine regarding onset and side effects. Gain insights into managing common issues like nausea and pruritus, and see why understanding their kinetics is vital for optimal clinical decision-making.

Explore the fascinating world of diamorphine, including its chemical relationship to morphine and various formulations. Delve into how it interacts with opioid receptors and its clinical applications in pain management and palliative care. Learn the typical dosing and hear about its potential side effects across different organ systems. Discover the pharmacokinetics behind its absorption and metabolism, plus crucial information on reversal with naloxone. This episode wraps up with a sneak peek into neuraxial opioid pharmacology.

Dive into the world of oxycodone, exploring its pharmacology and clinical relevance. Discover its origins, from wartime use to modern regulations. Learn how oxycodone compares to morphine in potency and administration routes. Unpack its side effects, including the risks of respiratory depression and sedation. Delve into its metabolism and implications in patients with organ failure. Finally, confront the public health impact of opioid use and lessons learned from past pharmaceutical practices.

Dive into the multifaceted world of methadone in this session! Discover its unique pharmacodynamics and receptor activities beyond opioid dependency. Learn about its clinical applications in pain management, including cancer care. The podcast covers practical dosing strategies, potential side effects like QT prolongation, and alternatives for weaning off methadone. Unravel the complexity of its pharmacokinetics, with insights into metabolism and clearance, all while gaining valuable knowledge for the medical field.

Delve into the intricate world of Tramadol in this engaging discussion. Discover its unique multi-mechanism analgesic action and how it functions as a weak opioid. Learn about its pharmacokinetics, including dosing limits and onset times, as well as its side effects and risks like opioid toxicity and serotonin syndrome. Gain insight into its comparative efficacy against other opioids and the importance of considering genetic variations in metabolism. A deep dive into Tramadol not only educates but also enhances your clinical perspective!

Discover the fascinating world of alfentanil, a crucial short-acting μ-opioid. Learn about its 1976 origins and why it's a go-to for rapid-sequence inductions. Delve into its therapeutic index and clinical uses, including acute pain management and obstetrics. Explore the unique pharmacokinetics that give it a faster onset than fentanyl. Plus, hear about the potential side effects and safe dosing practices. This insightful discussion is both educational and entertaining for anyone in anaesthetic practice.

The discussion dives into TIVA models for Propofol, specifically Marsh, Schneider, and Eleveld. Listeners learn the importance of understanding pharmacokinetic models over manual dosing for safety. Insights include how each model is developed, with a focus on their strengths and limitations. The episode emphasizes the need for careful dosing, particularly for obese patients, and offers practical tips on pump programming. There's a recommendation to treat TCI as a valuable tool rather than a definitive answer, ensuring tailored anaesthetic plans.

Delve into the physiological effects of sudden blood loss and how your body responds through baroreceptor reflexes and sympathetic activation. Explore the intricacies of nerve conduction, from resting membrane potential to the dynamics of action potentials. Learn about pH, acids, and the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation as they maintain acid-base balance. Finally, uncover the mystery of the anion gap and common causes of metabolic acidosis, plus exam tips for mastering your viva.

Welcome to a special interview edition of GasGasGas – the podcast that explores anaesthetic life in all its glorious detail, venturing out into its terrifying, and deeply human dimensions. I want those thinking about anaesthetics to gain insight, and I want everyone else Post IAC to remember the IAC experience and focus on what we can do to make IAC even better! Today, host James sits down with James, a CT2 ACCS anaesthetic trainee to explore the real story behind those first few months in anaesthetic training.   ———————— Donations to keep the lights on willingly accepted! Dr Gas Lurks on:  BlueSky: Gas Gas Gas (@gasgasgaspodcast.bsky.social) X / Twitter: GasGasGasFRCA (@GasGasGasFRCA) / X FaceBook: Facebook - Gas Gas Gas Website: www.gasgasgas.uk ———————— We have a catalogs of Podcast and Vivacast episodes here!  Primary FRCA Podcast Catalog Primary FRCA VivaCast Catalog ———————— #FOAMed #frcaprimary #frca #Anaesthetics #Anaesthesia  #Pharmacology #Physiology A Primary FRCA podcast ———————— Want to have a chat? james@gasgasgas.uk  ———————— Disclaimer / Sage Advice All content is educational in nature, but is never intended to be acted upon independent of organised educational and training structures, and under appropriate supervision for your stage of training.  This information is not a suitable substitute for medical advice and requests for medical advice will not be acted upon. Whilst the body of medical knowledge is slowly shifting and expanding, there are often differing numerics and notions for these core concepts, as such, accuracy of the content is not gauranteed. Where deemed sensible by the author, numerical ranges for technical data and references where reasonable will be present.