
The Critical Care Commute Podcast
The Critical Care Commute Podcast is grateful for your ears, insights and feedback. In return its hosts- Peter Brindley and Leon Byker, two ICU doctors in Alberta, Canada- offer up knowledge and debate with some of the most qualified, interesting, enlightened and provocative folks in Critical Care Medicine, and beyond. We strive to keep it practical and concise. Like you, our overriding goal is to get better, do better and feel better.
Latest episodes

Jul 24, 2023 • 15min
Breaking Bad News as a Shakespearean Tragedy - Dr Dale Gardiner.
Welcome to our second episode in our "State of the Art 2023" series, recorded live in Birmingham, UK. In this episode, Dr Dale Gardiner shares his experience in leading UK ICU teaching in breaking bad news - including a structured approach which they call ‘Breaking bad news as a Shakespearean tragedy’.
Dr Dale Gardiner is the Associate Medical Director – Deceased Organ Donation, at NHS Blood and Transplant and a Consultant in Adult Intensive Care Medicine at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust.
Take-home message: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxtec2TAV1g
Lecture link (Paywall):
Continulus | Breaking Bad News in the ICU: Part A

Jul 20, 2023 • 14min
Devastating Brain Injury - Dr Dan Harvey
Welcome to our "State of the Art 2023 Congress Series," recorded live in Birmingham, UK!
We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the first installment of our podcast series, where we dive deep into groundbreaking topics and innovations discussed right here at this conference.
As we embark on this podcast series, we aim to bring you captivating conversations, enlightening interviews, and thought-provoking discussions straight from the conference floor, background chatter, laughter and tea trolly clanging included!
Our first guest is Dr. Dan Harvey, Professor of Intensive Care Medicine at Nottingham University Hospitals and University of Nottingham. He is Chair of the UK Intensive Care Societies Legal & Ethical Advisory Group, and an author of multiple ICS & FICM guidance documents. Dan has an active research interest with roles including National Lead for Innovation & Research in Organ Donation for NHS Blood and Transplant, Vice Chair of the NIHR’s National Critical Care Group, and is joint Chief Investigator for the SIGNET study, the world’s largest interventional study in organ donation (https://ics.ac.uk/soa23/speakers.html#:~:text=Dr%20Dan%20Harvey,in%20organ%20donation.)
Join us as we talk about devastating brain injury and what it means for patients, health care workers and families.

Jul 10, 2023 • 33min
Prof. John Myburgh talks Fluids, Catecholamines, South Africa and a little bit of Research.
In this episode, we have the honor of speaking with Professor John Myburgh, a former South African physician and researcher who has dedicated his life to improving the field of critical care medicine. Professor Myburgh has made significant contributions to the field of fluid resuscitation, catecholamines, and microbiomes. In this episode, we will be discussing his early years in medicine, some reflections on medicine in South Africa and how his experiences have shaped his research interests. We will also delve into the latest research on fluid resuscitation, catecholamines, and microbiomes. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this fascinating conversation with Professor John Myburgh.
Further Reading:
SAFE TBI: Cooper DJ, Myburgh J, Heritier S, et al.
Albumin resuscitation for traumatic brain injury: is intracranial hypertension the cause of increased mortality?. J Neurotrauma.
2013;30(7):512-518. doi:10.1089/neu.2012.2573
SAFE Study: Finfer S, Norton R, Bellomo R, Boyce N, French
J, Myburgh J. The SAFE study: saline vs. albumin for fluid resuscitation in the critically ill [retracted in: Mayr W, Prowse C. Vox Sang. 2004
Aug;87(2):142]. Vox Sang. 2004;87 Suppl 2:123-131.
doi:10.1111/j.1741-6892.2004.00468.x
CHEST Study: Myburgh JA, Finfer S, Bellomo R, et al.
Hydroxyethyl starch or saline for fluid resuscitation in intensive care [published correction appears in N Engl J Med. 2016 Mar 31;374(13):1298]. N Engl J Med. 2012;367(20):1901-1911. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1209759
PLUS study: Finfer, S., Micallef, S., Hammond, N., Navarra, L., Bellomo, R., Billot, L., ... & Myburgh, J. (2022). Balanced multielectrolyte solution versus saline in critically ill adults. New England Journal of Medicine, 386(9), 815-826.
CAT study: Myburgh JA, Higgins A, Jovanovska A, Lipman J,
Ramakrishnan N, Santamaria J, CAT Study Investigators. A comparison of epinephrine and norepinephrine in critically ill patients. Intensive care
medicine. 2008 Dec;34:2226-34.
SOAP II Trial: De Backer D, Biston P, Devriendt J, Madl C,
Chochrad D, Aldecoa C, Brasseur A, Defrance P, Gottignies P, Vincent JL. Comparison of dopamine and norepinephrine in the treatment of shock. New England Journal of Medicine. 2010 Mar 4;362(9):779-89.
Prof. Myburg on Catecholamines at SMACC/CODA: https://youtu.be/90ru25QuGFI

Jun 23, 2023 • 27min
Deep Breathe: Artificial Intelligence in the ICU with Dr Rob Arntfield
Dr. Robert Arntfield is an esteemed physician and researcher based in Canada who has made significant contributions to the field of critical care medicine. His expertise in cardiorespiratory physiology and resuscitation has led him to develop innovative approaches to patient care, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. In this podcast, Dr. Arntfield will share his insights and experiences on how AI is transforming the healthcare landscape, from its potential to improve patient outcomes to its impact on the healthcare workforce. With his vast knowledge and experience, listeners can expect to gain valuable insights into the future of AI in healthcare and its potential to revolutionize the way we approach patient care.
Further Reading:
Deep Breathe - Artificially Intelligent Lung Ultrasound

Jun 13, 2023 • 26min
Dr. Dustin Anderson, Neurointensivist, talks Anti NMDA receptor encephalitis and ICU EEG.
Join us as we talk to the ridiculously talented Dr. Dustin Anderson, Neurointensivist from the University Hospital in Edmonton, Canada, as he unpacks anti-NMDA encephalitis and the EEG in the ICU.
Dr. Anderson completed his undergraduate training in electrical engineering (UBC) and biochemistry (SFU). Thereafter, he completed the MD/PhD program at the University of Calgary. Dr. Anderson went on to complete neurology training at the University of Alberta, also obtaining certification as an electro-encephalographer (CSCN Diplomate) and neuro-sonologist (ASN Diplomate), followed by Critical Care training and a fellowship in Neurocritical Care at Johns Hopkins. His research focuses on non-invasive neurocritical care monitoring, specifically, evaluating the role of non-invasive ultrasound (ocular ultrasonography and transcranial doppler) in patients with acute liver failure and the clinical utility of continuous EEG versus spot EEG in various clinical scenarios. Not only is he well accomplished in the world of medicine, he is also a musician and plays in a band called "the Heart Failure Research Institute".
Further Reading:
Sonicbids
Anderson D, Nathoo N, McCombe JA, Smyth P, Brindley PG. Anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor encephalitis: A primer for acute care healthcare professionals. J Intensive Care Soc. 2021;22(2):95-101. doi:10.1177/1751143720914181
Nathoo N, Anderson D, Jirsch J. Extreme Delta Brush in Anti-NMDAR Encephalitis Correlates With Poor Functional Outcome and Death. Front Neurol. 2021;12:686521. Published 2021 Jul 9. doi:10.3389/fneur.2021.686521

Jun 6, 2023 • 29min
All Things Liver with Prof. Dean Karvellas
Welcome to the Critical Care Commute "Liver" podcast, where we explore all things liver with leading expert, Professor Dean Karvellas, Professor of Medicine,Division of Gastroenterology (Liver Unit) and the Department of Critical Care at the University of Alberta, Canada. In this podcast, he shares his insights and expertise on a wide range of ICU liver-related topics, including ACLF, extracorporeal support, liver transplantation, liver scores and Acetaminophen (Paracetamol). Join us as we discuss all things liver in the ICU.

May 25, 2023 • 30min
Putting the Trial on Trial with Prof. Simon Finfer.
Putting the trial on trial? Not really, but join us and the ludicrously accomplished Prof Simon Finfer (with special guest appearances by his beloved dogs) for this review of all things Clinical Trial. Why we need them, how to design them, what they tell us and what they don't.
Professor Simon Finfer works at Sydney's George Institute, Royal North Shore Hospital and University New South Wales. He has led/co-led many of the last two decade's landmark clinical trials in icu (fluid administration, glycemic control, steroid use...you name it).

May 25, 2023 • 17min
The Critical Care Review: Listen in or log in, you'll be glad you did!
Dr Rob Mac Sweeney is an Intensivist at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast, and the lead organizer for the Critical Care Review, both the website and conference. 2023's conference is June 14-16, and streamed from the Titanic Centre in Belfast. Join us as Dr. Mac Sweeney explains what makes this meeting one of the top conferences in Critical Care.
Follow this link for the 20223 meeting: CCR23 (criticalcarereviews.com)

May 12, 2023 • 23min
The Autumn Ghost with Dr. Hannah Wunsch
Welcome to this episode featuring Dr. Hannah Wunsch, Professor of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Medicine and now published author of her debut book, The Autumn Ghost. In this episode, we explore the story behind Dr. Wunsch's book, the inspiration for its creation, and the message she hopes to convey to readers. The Autumn Ghost is a captivating literary work that delves deep into the origin story of Critical Care Medicine, the fragility of life, and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with our loved ones. Join us as we dive into the pages of Autumn Ghost and explore the profound themes that Dr. Wunsch explores in her writing.

5 snips
Apr 29, 2023 • 19min
Life, Death and the Bridges in Between - Part II, with Dr Sam Shemie.
Dr. Sam Shemie is a world-renowned expert in the field of critical care and the determination of brain death. He is a pediatric critical care physician and a professor of Pediatrics and Critical Care Medicine at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Dr. Shemie is also the founder and director of the Canadian Donation and Transplantation Research Program, a national research program focused on improving organ donation and transplantation in Canada.Throughout his distinguished career, Dr. Shemie has made significant contributions to the understanding and practice of brain death determination, which is a critical component of organ donation and transplantation. He has published numerous scholarly articles on the subject, and he has served as an advisor to the World Health Organization, the Canadian Blood Services, and other organizations on issues related to organ donation and transplantation.In this podcast, Dr. Shemie shares his expertise on brain death determination and the ethical considerations that surround this complex topic.
Listeners will gain valuable insights into the science of brain death determination, as well as the challenges that clinicians and families face in making these difficult decisions. Dr. Shemie's thoughtful and compassionate approach to this topic will leave listeners with a deeper understanding of the critical role that organ donation and transplantation play in saving lives.