Join us for another captivating episode of The FlightBridgeED MDCAST as Dr. Michael Lauria explores trauma medicine's most critical and evolving skill: the finger thoracostomy. Featuring special guest Dr. Bryce Taylor, a seasoned emergency physician, and flight medicine fellow currently doing a retrieval medicine fellowship at the University of Wisconsin Med Flight. This episode takes a deep dive into the nuances of trauma-induced tension pneumothorax and the art of rapid chest decompression...

Welcome to another essential episode of the FlightBridgeED Podcast: MDCAST, where we dive deep into the complexities of critical care and continue our high-risk OB transport conversation. This episode focuses on the often overlooked yet rapidly increasing crisis of hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. Host Dr. Mike Lauria and maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Elizabeth Garchar discuss the full spectrum of hypertensive disorders—from gestational hypertension to the life-threatening...

In this episode of our series on respiratory critical care called Every Breath They Take, Dr. Lauria is joined by EM/Critical Care and Flight Physician Brittney Bernardoni as they discuss how to grapple with optimizing lung protective ventilation in ARDS.     Lung protective ventilation at 6 cc/kg and maintaining plateau pressures of less than 30 cmH2O have been the cornerstones of invasive respiratory support since the findings of the ARMA trial in 2000.  In recent years, some interesting...

In this episode of the FlightBridgeED Podcast, part of our "Every Breath They Take" series on respiratory critical care, Dr. Michael Lauria explores whether we truly protect the lungs during mechanical ventilation. While the best evidence suggests keeping tidal volumes at 6 cc/kg and plateau pressures below 30 cm H2O, is that enough? ARDS is a complex lung pathology, and as we unravel its intricacies, there may be more to consider. Join us as we explore the popular concept of driving pressure...

In this compelling episode of the FlightBridgeED Podcast, Dr. Michael Lauria delves into one of the most critical yet underappreciated aspects of emergency and critical care medicine: maternal sepsis and septic shock. As maternal mortality rates rise across the U.S., critical care transport providers are increasingly faced with the challenge of managing septic mothers and post-partum patients. Dr. Lauria, alongside special guest  Dr. Elizabeth Garchar, MD, FACOG, an OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal...

In this episode of the FlightBridgeED Podcast: MDCAST, Dr. Michael Lauria is joined by Dr. Elizabeth Garchar, MD, FACOG, an OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM) specialist who has a particular interest in obstetric critical care and is unique in that she flies regularly with ourcritical care transport teams as a retrieval OBGYN/MFM. They are also joined by Dr. Alixandria Pfeiffer, an MFM Fellow at the University of Texas in San Antonio. Together, they dive into the complex and...

In Episode 264 of the FlightBridgeED Podcast: MDCAST, Dr. Mike Lauria, Dr. Jeff Jarvis, and trauma anesthesiologist Dr. Chris Stevens return for Part 2 of their deep dive into airway management in profoundly hemodynamically unstable patients. In this episode, the trio explores controversial topics such as the use of pressors in trauma patients, mechanical ventilation in the pre-hospital setting, and the pharmacology of paralytic agents like rocuronium. They also address the highly debated...

In this thought-provoking episode of the FlightBridgeED Podcast: MDCAST, Dr. Mike Lauria is joined by Dr. Jeff Jarvis and Dr. Chris Stevens to tackle the critical and potentially controversial topic of airway management in hemodynamically unstable patients. The discussion dives into complex scenarios, decision-making challenges, and balancing the benefits of sedation with the risks of compromising a patient’s stability. From discussing medication-assisted intubation to exploring the concept...

In this engaging and insightful episode of the FlightBridgeED Podcast, Eric Bauer is joined by Dr. Michael Lauria as they delve into the intricacies of post-intubation care and the critical factors that impact patient outcomes during the first 10 minutes after intubation. Building on the well-established concepts of airway management and resuscitation, the discussion introduces the new acronym PHACTORS, which stands for Positive Pressure, Hypoxia, Acidemia, Cardiac Output, Transfer, Ongoing...

PART 2 of 2 In this episode, Dr. Michael Lauria is joined by several EM/Critical Care and Transport/Retrieval physicians as we discuss the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the critical care transport setting. We cover the pathophysiology of ARDS, the criteria for diagnosis, and the basics of lung protective ventilation. We also explore the concept of driving pressure and its role in determining optimal ventilation settings. The conversation highlights the importance...

This is a must-listen! What’s the best way to pre-oxygenate our patients prior to intubation? The evidence for this question has been mixed for some time. Dr Jarvis discusses the PREOXI Trial, which directly compares preoxygenation with non-invasive ventilation compared to a face mask to see which provides the best protection against peri-intubation hypoxia. This is an important trial that sheds light on a key component of our bundle of care to make intubation safer. Citations: Gibbs KW,...

PART 1 of 2 In this episode, Dr. Michael Lauria is joined by several EM/Critical Care and Transport/Retrieval physicians as we discuss the management of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in the critical care transport setting. We cover the pathophysiology of ARDS, the criteria for diagnosis, and the basics of lung protective ventilation. We also explore the concept of driving pressure and its role in determining optimal ventilation settings. The conversation highlights the importance...

In this episode of the FlightBridgeED MDCast, Dr. Mike Lauria and Dr. Brittany Bernardoni discuss the management of refractory hypotension in septic patients. They explore the use of norepinephrine as the initial pressor of choice and the benefits of vasopressin as a second-line agent. They also discuss the use of inotropes, such as epinephrine and dobutamine, and the importance of assessing cardiac function with ultrasound. The conversation provides practical guidance for managing...

As night falls, a critical medical battle against Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA) begins. This formidable foe, hidden within the body's chemistry, pushes patients towards peril. In this thrilling installment of the FlightBridgeED Nightmare Series, EMS providers face a relentless race against time, striving to subdue the devastating effects of DKA before it's too late. Host Eric Bauer and Jean-Francois Couture, Emergency Physician and Director of Operations at Applications MD, guide us through the...

In this final episode of The FAST Archives miniseries, we're thrilled to present a talk from Chris Meeks. Chris is not just any paramedic and educator; he's a veteran with a knack for making complex medical topics approachable. Today, he's breaking down "Oxygenation Assassin," a deep dive into the world of hypoplastic left heart syndrome—a challenging congenital heart defect. Chris will walk us through the hemodynamic hurdles of the condition and share essential tips for acute care...

In this episode of The FAST Archives, we explore a unique challenge in emergency medical planning from Helge Junge, who leads a team specialized in air rescue operations. Helge shares the intricate details of developing a comprehensive care and transport system for the World Economic Forum, held in the challenging and mountainous terrain of the Swiss Alps. The forum's location posed significant logistical and medical challenges, including potential mass casualty scenarios and limited local...

In this enlightening episode of The FAST Archives, we feature a compelling talk by Bruce Hoffman titled "A Change of Heart." Bruce, a seasoned critical care nurse and paramedic with a rich background in ICU, ER, trauma, and cardiology, challenges conventional wisdom in the treatment of STEMI patients. Drawing on the latest evidence, he questions the rush to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and whether our current metrics, like door-to-reperfusion times, are truly in the best interest...

In this episode of The FAST Archives, Ritu Sahni explores the essential topic of equity in emergency care. With a background that includes EMS Medical Director roles, emergency medicine, and air ambulance experience, Ritu provides a comprehensive look at what it means to care for entire communities. In his talk, "Equity in Emergency Care: What Does That Even Mean?", Ritu unpacks the challenges of delivering equitable care in EMS and what it takes to make sure every individual gets the support...

In this deeply impactful episode of The FAST Archives, we focus on the tragic events of the Parkland school shooting on February 14, 2018, through the lens of Peter Antevy, who served as the EMS Medical Director on the scene that day. With his vast expertise in pre-hospital pediatrics and emergency medicine, Peter offers a detailed and respectful reflection on that tragic day, shedding light on what unfolded, what could have been improved, and the critical importance of being prepared for...

In this episode of The FAST Archives, William Heuser brings his extensive experience as a clinical critical care pharmacist, clinical toxicologist, and certified Flight Paramedic to demystify the controversial world of resuscitative medicine. In his dynamic talk, "Do Any of These Medications Work in Cardiac Arrest? Demystifying the Controversies!", Will examines the debate surrounding the administration of certain medications during cardiac arrest. He discusses how these medications impact...

Welcome back to The FAST Archives! In this episode, Ashley Liebig delivers a compelling talk, "Teaching, Trusting, and Teen Driving," where she explores the nuanced realities of learning, teaching, and belonging. Through her insights into psychological safety, cognitive learning theory, and feedback culture, Ashley opens up how the intricacies of how humans learn and interact... both the good stuff and the things we don't always have a great track record with as an industry. Maslow's...

In this compelling episode of the FlightBridgeED podcast, recorded at CCTMC24, we dive deep with Kevin Collopy, a distinguished figure in trauma care and awarded Best Research for his poster during the conference's Scientific Assembly. Kevin shares his groundbreaking work with just-in-time prehospital trauma training in Ukraine, a project that has garnered significant attention for its impact and innovation. Amidst the backdrop of conflict, Kevin, along with a dedicated team of providers and...

In this episode of The FAST Archives, we explore an innovative approach to cardiac arrest treatment with Jason Bartos, a leading figure in the field of cardiology and critical care at the University of Minnesota. Jason delves into the world of extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (ECPR), a lifesaving technique that has shown significant promise in improving survival rates among patients who do not respond to conventional ACLS. Currently, access to ECPR is limited, with only 1.68% of...

In this episode of The FAST Archives, join one of our favorite Kiwis, Rob Bryant as he takes a critical look at Ketamine, a drug that's as much a star in the medical field as it is a subject of debate. Rob, who has an extensive background in Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, explores the not-so-glamorous side of Ketamine, including its cardiovascular impacts, effects on mental health, and potential long-term damage to the bladder. Ketamine has long been a celebrated player in emergency...