

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

Feb 28, 2025 • 16min
VivaCast 010 - Physiology - Classifying Hypoxia, Oxygen Delivery and Oxy-Haemoglobin Sat Curves
Dive into the fascinating world of hypoxia as the hosts dissect its classifications, including hypoxic, anemic, histotoxic, and ischemic types. Discover how oxygen is delivered to tissues and the intricate interplay of hemoglobin with factors like 2,3-DPG and pH. Learn why oxygen delivery is crucial for cellular respiration and how it shifts depending on conditions. The discussion wraps up with insights on the oxyhemoglobin dissociation curve and what impacts hemoglobin's affinity for oxygen. Educational and engaging!

Feb 21, 2025 • 16min
VivaCast 009 - Physiology - Pressure, Flow, Coronary perfusion, Cardiac Cycle
Dive into the intricate world of cardiac physiology! Explore how blood pressure is defined and influenced by cardiac output and vascular resistance. Discover how the Hagen–Poiseuille law affects vessel resistance, and learn the significance of viscosity and vessel length. Unravel the differences in coronary blood flow between the left and right sides of the heart. Finally, get a clear breakdown of the cardiac cycle phases, from diastole to ejection. Packed with insights, this discussion is a must-listen for anyone interested in the mechanics of the heart!

Feb 16, 2025 • 34min
VivaCast - 008 - Oxygen Storage - Wheatstone Bridges - Resonance/Damping - Fibre optics and Lasers
Dive into the fascinating world of oxygen as its properties and storage in hospitals are unraveled. Explore the intricacies of Wheatstone Bridges for measuring resistance and the difference between resistors and capacitors. Discover how arterial lines can estimate cardiac output, and learn about the roles of damping and resonance in monitoring systems. Get a glimpse into fiber optics, including how light is transmitted and its comparison to laser light, alongside clinical uses and safety measures for lasers in practice.

Feb 10, 2025 • 21min
VivaCast 007 - License to....? Adrenoceptors, Local anaesthetic, Classification Anti-Arrythmics
Explore the fascinating world of adrenoceptors and their diverse effects on heart rate and blood pressure. Discover the roles of local anaesthetics and how they block sodium channels to prevent action potentials. Delve into the Vaughan-Williams classification of anti-arrhythmics, including insights on beta blockers and calcium channel blockers. Learn practical exam tips on pharmacology and the importance of understanding G-protein subtypes for effective signalling. It's an exhilarating mix of complex concepts made digestible!

Feb 4, 2025 • 25min
VivaCast 006 - Physiology Station - Oxygen - Sensing - Valsalva
Discover the fascinating journey of oxygen from the alveoli to the mitochondria, unraveling key concepts like the shunt and hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. Explore the complexities of the Valsalva manoeuvre as it challenges the body's responses. Dive into the physiological details of alveolar gas equations and how various factors affect oxygen levels. Learn about carotid body sensing and the implications of autonomic neuropathy on reflex responses. It's a captivating blend of physiology and practical exam techniques!

Jan 27, 2025 • 20min
VivaCast 005 - Clinical Station Urgent Onco-Laparotomy
Join the discussion as Tom navigates a critical anaesthetic plan for an oncology patient facing bowel issues. They delve into immediate concerns like hypovolemia and possible sepsis, emphasizing the A to E assessment. Tom discusses vital investigations and the management of new atrial fibrillation, showcasing fluid resuscitation and risk stratification methods. They also explore the intricacies of anaesthesia considerations and the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in high-stakes situations. Valuable exam presentation tips keep the insights flowing!

Jan 21, 2025 • 31min
Gas Gas Gas - Poly-Compart-Mental Madness Pt.2 - Ft. Pharmacokinetic BathTubs.
Dive into the intriguing world of pharmacokinetics! Discover why single-compartment models can mislead and how multi-compartment thinking enhances clinical practice. Learn about the fascinating impacts of infusion rates on drug concentration using relatable alcohol analogies. Explore the role of molecular weight and solubility in drug movement and how medications like fentanyl behave during prolonged infusions. Plus, enjoy a quirky bathtub analogy that illustrates complex drug distribution dynamics!

Jan 16, 2025 • 21min
VivaCast 004 - Vapours - Heat - Gas
Dive into the fascinating world of vapours as Tom explains the equilibrium between liquid and gas, including the nuances of relative and absolute humidity. Discover how anaesthetic vapourisers operate compared to closed containers, and the differences between sevoflurane and desflurane. The discussion also tackles the four laws of thermodynamics and the significance of critical temperature. Plus, enjoy clever mnemonic aids for remembering gas laws, making complex concepts more accessible and entertaining!

Jan 8, 2025 • 23min
Gas Gas Gas - Poly-Compartmental Madness Pt.1 - Half time, Tc, Natural Log and more
Explore the fascinating world of multi-compartmental pharmacokinetics! Discover the importance of half-lives, time constants, and how they impact drug clearance and offset times. Learn how to visualize time constants and relate them to elimination rates. Dive into the role of natural logarithms in modeling kinetics and unravel the mysteries of bi-exponential decay on concentration-time graphs. Prepare for a future demonstration using these concepts with a fentanyl patient model! Perfect for aspiring anesthesia professionals.

Dec 23, 2024 • 21min
VivaCast 003 - Paralysing the NMJ - Roc vs Sux - Reversal
Join Willing Victim Tom, an anaesthetics trainee diving deep into neuromuscular pharmacology, as he engages in a lively viva with Dr. Gas. They dissect the differences between succinylcholine and rocuronium, exploring onset times and potential risks like hyperkalaemia. Tom offers insights into malignant hyperthermia and the critical role of dantrolene in its management. The conversation flows to the nuances of reversing rocuronium with sugammadex and neostigmine, including potential pitfalls. Plus, they share tips on structuring responses for exam success!


