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
Oct 11, 2024 • 22min
Thiopentone: Barbiturate Anaesthesia, does it still have a place?
The podcast dives into the fascinating world of thiopentone, highlighting its rapid onset and classic role in induction anesthesia. Listeners learn about its formulation, the crucial pharmacokinetics, and practical uses in medical settings. Warnings about rare risks like anaphylaxis and tissue necrosis are discussed, alongside insights on zero-order kinetics and protein binding intricacies. Anecdotes from history add a compelling layer, reflecting on thiopentone's past applications and relevance in today's medical practice.
Sep 27, 2024 • 32min
Gas Gas Gas - Compartmentalised Volatiles and a brief jaunt with Sevoflurane
Dive into the fascinating world of volatile anaesthetics and discover how they interact within the breathing circuit and patient. Explore the differences between sevoflurane, isoflurane, and desflurane, including their clinical nuances and washout times. Unpack the importance of the blood-gas partition coefficient and its role in anaesthetic uptake. Learn about strategies for speeding emergence and the impact of fat stores on recovery. This engaging discussion combines pharmacology with practical insights, perfect for those in the field!
Sep 10, 2024 • 18min
Hepatic Clearance: A key principle in anaesthesia
Dive into the fascinating world of drug clearance as it explores how the liver clears substances at a kinetic level. Discover the difference between flow-limited and capacity-limited clearance with engaging examples. Learn about the impact of hepatic blood flow on drug accumulation in various clinical states. The episode clarifies the concepts of clearance versus elimination and introduces the nuances of enterohepatic recycling, affecting everything from medications to oral contraceptives. It's a thrilling ride through pharmacology!
Sep 5, 2024 • 14min
pKa in Anaesthesia: Ionisation & Drug Behaviour for the FRCA Primary
Dive into the fascinating world of pKa and its critical role in drug absorption. Discover how pKa defines when a drug is ionized and why only unionized drugs can effectively cross membranes. Learn through examples like levobupivacaine and aspirin, revealing how pH influences drug solubility and absorption in different environments. Explore practical applications for local anesthetics and opioids, making complex concepts accessible and entertaining. Don't miss the insights on core principles that shape pharmacology!
Aug 22, 2024 • 17min
Volume of Distribution (Vd): Pharmacokinetics for FRCA Exam
Dive into the intriguing concept of volume of distribution in pharmacology, where drug distribution is explored through fun analogies like shot glasses and bathtubs. Discover how drug properties and patient characteristics influence absorption, and learn the differences between indexed and absolute volumes. Get practical insights on measuring pharmacokinetics, and unravel the behavior of volatile anesthetics in the body. This enlightening discussion will elevate your understanding of drug dynamics in clinical settings.
Aug 21, 2024 • 20min
Fentanyl in Anaesthetic Practice
Dive into the intriguing world of fentanyl, from its vital role in anesthesia to its rapid pain control capabilities compared to morphine. Explore dosing strategies for co-induction and innovative administration routes like intranasal and transdermal. Uncover the mechanism of action, side effects, and the unique attributes that make fentanyl suitable for short procedures. Discussion includes its use in head injury cases, the 'wooden chest phenomenon,' and comparisons with morphine, especially for patients with renal failure.
Jul 29, 2024 • 19min
Propofol Pharmacology for FRCA Primary Anaesthesia Exam
Delve into the fascinating world of propofol, exploring its chemical class and clinical applications. Learn the best strategies for structuring drug answers in exams and understand the intricacies of propofol's pharmacodynamics and potential side effects. Discover the significance of pKa and how it influences drug behavior, plus practical tips for effective patient sedation. The discussion also covers metabolic risks and insights on using propofol in hemodynamically unstable patients. Perfect for anyone looking to enhance their anaesthesia knowledge!
Jul 25, 2024 • 13min
Rocuronium: Non-Depolarising Neuromuscular Blockade for Anaesthesia
Discover the fascinating world of rocuronium, a non-depolarising neuromuscular blocker. Learn about its pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, including clearance in organ disease and dosing tips for both routine intubation and rapid sequence induction. Delve into the critical side effects and the risk of anaphylaxis, along with management strategies. Practical advice on choosing rocuronium versus alternatives and the importance of monitoring neuromuscular blockade will keep you informed and engaged!
