Critical Matters – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of, Dr. Sergio Zanotti explores the vital role of enteral nutrition in the ICU—a foundational element in the prevention and treatment of disease-related malnutrition among critically ill patients. He is joined by Dr. Leah Gramlich, a distinguished gastroenterologist and physician nutrition specialist from the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Alberta, Canada. Dr. Gramlich is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Alberta and the founding president of the Canadian Nutrition Society. She has also served on the Board of Directors for the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and chaired the Canadian Malnutrition Task Force, bringing deep expertise to this essential topic. Additional resources: Enteral Nutrition in Hospitalized Adults. Lead Gramlich, Peggi Guenter. New Engl J Med 2025: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40239069/ Individualized nutritional support in medical inpatients at nutritional risk: a randomized clinical trial. The EFFORT Clinical Trial. Lancet 2019: https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(18)32776-4/abstract Low versus standard calorie and protein feeding in ventilated adults with shock: a randomised, controlled, multicentre, open-label, parallel-group trial (NUTRIREA-3). Lancet Respir Med 2023: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36958363/ The effect of higher protein dosing in critically ill patients with high nutritional risk (EFFORT Protein): an international, multicentre, pragmatic, registry-based randomised trial. Lancet 2023: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36708732/ Books mentioned in this episode: The Overstory: A Novel. By Richard Powers: https://bit.ly/43Drra1

In this episode, Dr. Zanotti discusses the science of hope. He's joined by Dr. Stephen Trzeciak, a physician-scientist, the Edward D. Viner Endowed Chief of Medicine at Cooper University Health Care, and Professor and Chair of Medicine at Cooper Medical School of Rowan University in Camden, New Jersey. Dr. Trzeciak is a practicing intensivist and a clinical researcher with more than 100 publications in the scientific literature. In addition, he is co-author of two excellent books: Wonder Drug: 7 Scientifically Proven Ways That Serving Others Is the Best Medicine for Yourself (2022) and Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence that Caring Makes a Difference (2019). Additional resources: Recovery Expectations and Long-term Prognosis of Patients with Coronary Heart Disease Barefoot JC, et al. JAMA Internal Medicine 2011: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21357800/ Optimism and Rehospitalization After Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery. Scheler MF, et al. JAMA Int Med 1999: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10219928/ The median is not the message. By Jay Gould: https://journalofethics.ama-assn.org/sites/joedb/files/2018-05/mnar1-1301.pdf Books mentioned in this episode: Man’s Search for Meaning. By Viktor E. Frankl: https://bit.ly/3SqsNyt Wonder Drug: 7 Scientifically Proven Ways That Serving Others Is the Best Medicine for Yourself. By Stephen Trzeciak and Anthony Mazzarelli: https://bit.ly/4kiyA5q Compassionomics: The Revolutionary Scientific Evidence that Caring Makes a Difference. By Stephen Trzeciak and Anthony Mazzarelli: https://bit.ly/43ul5IE

In this episode, Dr. Sergio Zanotti discusses rational fluid therapy. He is joined by Dr. Adrian Wong, a practicing intensive care medicine and anesthesia physician. Dr. Wong is a consultant and clinical lead at King’s College Hospital, London. He also serves as a committee member for the Intensive Care Society FUSIC, examiner for the European Diploma of Intensive Care Medicine, on the executive committee of the International Fluid Academy. Additional resources: Intravenous fluid therapy in the perioperative and critical care setting” Executive summary of the International Fluid Academy (IFA). Malbrain ML, et al. Ann. Intensive Care 2020: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32449147/ Multidisciplinary expert panel report on fluid stewardship: perspectives and practice. Malbrain ML, et al. Annals of Intensive Care 2023: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37747558/ The emerging concept of fluid tolerance: A position paper. Kattan E, et al. Journal of Critical Care 2022: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35660844/ Everything you need to know about derescuscitation. Malbrain ML, et al. Intensive Care Med 2022: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35932335/ Start with Why. TED Talk presented by Simon Sinek: https://simonsinek.com/videos/ted-talks/ Books mentioned in this episode: Thinking Fast and Slow. By Daniel Kahneman: https://amzn.to/4hicUoj Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everybody to Take Action. By Simon Sinek: https://bit.ly/42hzt8n

In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss pregnancy, critical care, and COVID-19. Our guest is Dr. Cesar Padilla. Dr. Padilla is an attending physician in the Department of Intensive Care and Resuscitation in the Cleveland Clinic in OHIO. He is a practicing anesthesia critical care physician with additional expertise and training in obstetric anesthesia. He is extremely interested in promoting better care of obstetrical patients requiring critical care and has worked in this area extensively from the clinical, educational, and research perspective. Additional Resources: Articles on Critical Care and Pregnancy by Dr. Padilla: - https://bit.ly/2BTHFkZ - https://bit.ly/2YKBrwH Development of a Comorbidity Index for Use in Obstetric Patients: https://bit.ly/38gtvq1 CDC COVID-19 and Pregnancy Resource Page: https://bit.ly/31v9XwH Articles by Dr. Padillas on KevinMD.com: https://bit.ly/31zIl9M Previous episodes on pregnancy and critical care: - https://bit.ly/2YPjld4 - https://bit.ly/38g5f7k Books Mentioned in this Episode: Twelve Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos by Jordan B. Peterson: https://amzn.to/2Zo8nu2

In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss challenges related to providing compassionate patient aligned care in the intensive care unit within the frame of COVID-19. We also explore “The Pause”, a simple yet innovative practice with the power to transform our practices. Our guest is Dr. Silvia Perez Protto, an anesthesia and critical care attending at the Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Perez Protto is a faculty member of the Department of Intensive Care and Resuscitation and is the Medical Director for the End of Life Center at the Cleveland Clinic. Additional Resources: Empathy: The Human Connection to Patient Care: https://bit.ly/3hiRWHk The Pause (for iPhone: https://apple.co/2zqzGei The Pause (for Android: https://bit.ly/3fislgd The Conversation Project: https://bit.ly/3cRjMaj New York Times - “An Incalculable Lost”: https://nyti.ms/2MOipyQ Books Mentioned in this Episode: When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi: https://amzn.to/2YgjVPe Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell: https://amzn.to/3hdy3l3 The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell: https://amzn.to/37hJJyC

In this episode of the Critical Matters, we will discuss acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with COVID-19. Our guest is Dr. Claudio Ronco, a thought leader in the field of acute kidney injury and nephrology critical care. Dr. Ronco is professor of Nephrology at the University of Padua. Dr. Ronco is also Director of the Department of Nephrology Dialysis & Transplantation and of the International Renal Research Institute (IRRIV) at San Bortolo Hospital in Vicenza, Italy. Additional Resources: Acute Kidney Injury: https://bit.ly/3daKxaD Management of Acute Kidney Injury in Patients with COVID-19: https://bit.ly/3daKyLJ Extracorporeal Blood Purification and Organ Support in the Critically Ill Patient During COVID-19 Pandemic: Expert Review and Recommendation: https://bit.ly/3c6fxre Video - Cappuccino with Claudio Ronco: https://bit.ly/2B5X3dr Books Mentioned in this Episode: Carpediem by Claudio Ronco: https://amzn.to/3ekVMxm From Fish to Philosopher by Homer W. Smith: https://amzn.to/3c8j8F9

In this episode of Critical Matters, we continue our exploration and discussion on respiratory support and mechanical ventilation with COVID-19. Our guest is Dr. John J. Marini, a thought leader in the field of critical care. Dr. Marini is Director of Academic Programs in Research and Education for the Department of Medicine of the Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota. In most of his research, he has positioned himself at the interface between basic physiology and clinical medicine to develop insights into advancing clinical practice. In this episode, he discusses evolving concepts related to ventilator-induced lung injury and how they apply to respiratory support in patients with COVID-19. Additional Resources: Management of COVID-19 Respiratory Distress: https://bit.ly/2WuwFCw Time Course of Evolving Ventilator-Induced Lung Injury: https://bit.ly/2YVyEkO Static and Dynamic Contributors to Ventilator-induced Lung Injury in Clinical Practice. Pressure, Energy, and Power: https://bit.ly/360Fmr5 Books Mentioned in this Episode: Nunn's Applied Respiratory Physiology by Andrew B. Lumb: https://amzn.to/2UQLeiX The Discoverers by DJ Boorstin: https://amzn.to/2yTnL8u Why Not Say it Clearly: A Guide to Scientific Writing by LS King.: https://amzn.to/2WV6tzI

In this episode of Critical Matters, we discuss ethical issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our guest is Arthur L. Caplan, Ph.D. Dr. Caplan is the director of the Division of Medical Ethics at New York University Langone Medical Center and School of Medicine. He is the author and editor of 35 books and 750 peer-reviewed articles. Dr. Caplan is a recognized thought leader and expert in the field of medical ethics. Additional Resources: WHO – Guidance to Managing Ethical Issues in Infectious Disease Outbreaks: https://bit.ly/3bwhqOe Ethics of Outbreaks Position Statement. Part 1: Therapies, Treatment Limitations, and Duty to Treat: https://bit.ly/2Vs8i7G Ethics of Outbreaks Position Statement. Part 2: Family-Centered Care: https://bit.ly/3cQngun Fair Allocation of Scarce Medical Resources in the Time of COVID-19: https://bit.ly/2VRX1fQ Books Mentioned in this Episode: Plato: Five Dialogues by Plato: https://amzn.to/3bum1Rf Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by W. Isaacson: https://amzn.to/2VOpGTg Poor Richard’s Almanac by B. Franklin: https://amzn.to/2XUQqnK

On this episode of Critical Matters, we will focus on respiratory support and mechanical ventilation with COVID-19. Our guest is Dr. Luciano Gattinoni, a thought leader in the field of critical care. Dr. Gattinoni introduced the concept of lung rest by extracorporeal CO2 removal in acute respiratory failure. He pioneered the use of thoracic CT in ARDS, which culminated in the "baby lung", lung recruitability, and Mechanical Power concepts. His research is focused on the pathophysiology and treatment of acute respiratory failure, including prone positioning, sepsis and acid-based disorders. Dr. Gattinoni has published more than 400 research articles and reviews in peer-reviewed journals. Additional Resources: COVID-19 Does Not Lead to a “Typical” Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: https://bit.ly/3e2cNNw COVID-19 Pneumonia: Different Respiratory Treatment for Different Phenotypes?: https://bit.ly/2URaCFd Books Mentioned in this Episode: Siddharta by Herman Hess: https://amzn.to/3bXi6vP The Prince by Nicolo Machiaveli: https://amzn.to/2RjyOho Nunn's Applied Respiratory Physiology: https://amzn.to/2UQLeiX The Pathway for Oxygen by M.D. Edwald R. Weibel: https://amzn.to/2yKpNrf Clinical Physiology of Acid-Base and Electrolyte Disorders by Burton Rose and Theodore Post: https://amzn.to/3e2dDdh

In this episode of Critical Matters, we continue to discuss issues related to the COVID- 19 pandemic. The numbers of cases continue to rapidly climb in the US and the world. There are serious concerns for adequate supplies of personal protective equipment for clinicians. In today’s episode we talk about the rational use of personal protective equipment. We try to focus on facts over fear. The discussion is an excerpt from a webinar Dr. Zanotti presented to Sound's national group of clinicians. Additional Resources: World Health Organization (WHO)- Updated Guidance on PPE for COVID-19: https://bit.ly/3aenLxf; https://bit.ly/3dr1pul Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - Guidance on PPE for COVID-19: https://bit.ly/2UBG1tN COVID-19 and the Risk to Health Care Works: A Case Report: https://bit.ly/3bkcdsm Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1: https://bit.ly/2WMfLzB Keep the Coronavirus from Infection Health-Care Workers: https://bit.ly/3buvHuj Books Mentioned in this Episode: Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl: https://amzn.to/3dtoMn0