Episode Summary Ding, ding, ding…it’s time for Round 4 Q&A! The gloves are on, and we are ready to jump back in the ring for more questions and answers. In this episode, we’re going to mix it up a little by answering the other guys’ questions…cold turkey…so this should be fun. ? This time we focus the questions specifically on cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology. This is one round you won’t want to miss…Say what? You got it…Q&A! What You’ll Learn ⦁ Evaluate the medications that inhibit hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. ⦁ Examine the factors that affect myocardial oxygenation. ⦁ D ..read more

Episode Summary In this episode we talk about an airway procedure that we rarely perform…that can be somewhat daunting…but can make an enormous difference in patient safety…we talk about awake intubation. We review the ASA’s Difficult Airway Algorithm and the Difficult Airway Society’s and the Canadian Airway Focus Group’s recommendations regarding awake intubation. We go over the indications, equipment, positioning, and other key features to help demystify the performance of this important airway skill.   What You’ll Learn 1. Review several airway society's recommendations about awake in ..read more

Episode Summary In this episode we discuss pheochromocytoma. We highlight a clinical case of a patient with an undiagnosed pheochromocytoma, and then we dive into the differential diagnoses, signs and symptoms, preoperative preparation, and intraoperative management of this neuroendocrine tumor. This is one episode that will definitely get your sympathetic nervous system firing!   What You'll Learn Review the pathophysiology of a pheochromocytoma. Discuss the differential diagnosis associated with a pheochromocytoma. Assess the signs and symptoms of an undiagnosed pheochromocytoma. Apply ..read more

Episode Summary We’re returning to the ring for another Q & A! The crowd is cheering and asking for more, so let’s give them another round…say what! In this episode, we’ll test your mental toughness with questions that review pharmacology, pathophysiology, and airway. Along the way, we’ll give you tips and suggestions to help dust out the cobwebs and bring that anesthesia knowledge back into the forefront of your mind. So, put those gloves together, “ding ding!” it’s time to get back into the ring!  Say what? That’s right, it’s Q & A day!APEX family…grab a big glass of milk and le ..read more

Episode Summary In this episode of the APEX Live Anesthesia podcast, we review the essentials of calcium and the physiologic consequences that occur when this important cation becomes low. We’ll discuss how the body regulates calcium, the signs of hypocalcemia, something called the “Lethal Diamond” and so much more. APEX family…grab a big glass of milk and let’s talk calcium! What You'll Learn     Assess how the body regulates calcium.      Examine normal calcium values.     Discuss the physiologic manifestations of acute and chronic hypocalce ..read more

Episode Summary We went into the ring and knocked out the first Q & A in episode 25. Because of the overwhelmingly positive feedback, we are back for another round…Say What! In this episode, we’ll go over several pharmacology questions that range from medications that affect hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction to platelet inhibitors. Along the way, we’ll give you tips and suggestions to help dust out the cobwebs and bring that anesthesia knowledge back into the forefront of your mind. So exercise that mind, we are going back into the ring!   Say what? That’s right, it’s Q & A ..read more

Episode Summary Anesthesia-induced hypotension is commonly treated with push dose vasopressors. Today we dive into what the newest evidence is showing us about the use of phenylephrine, ephedrine, and norepinephrine IV bolus doses. We talk about cerebral oxygen concentrations and cardiac output when administering these vasopressors and ultimately ask ourselves…should we be less pushy?   What You'll Learn Review usual practice standards for anesthesia-induced hypotension. Discuss the most commonly used push dose vasopressors. Examine the evidence comparing commonly administered vasopresso ..read more

Our episode today is with the one and only Dr. John Nagelhout PhD, CRNA, FAAN. He is a pharmacology master who has taught thousands of CRNAs over the years. He the creator and has been the primary author of the core nurse anesthesia textbook “NURSE ANESTHESIA” for the last 20 years. Jeremy and Sass have an engaging discussion about his experience as a nurse anesthetist since the 1970’s, the story behind his creation of the first and subsequent editions of Nurse Anesthesia, how he came to teach pharmacology to so many CRNAs, his opinion on the greatest strength of a CRNA, and his thoughts on th ..read more

Episode Summary Over the past several months we’ve had many CRNAs request a podcast that evaluates answering test questions. Basically, something that helps to dust out the cobwebs and bring that anesthesia knowledge and that question answering expertise back into the forefront of your mind. APEX family…we hear you! In this episode Sass and Jeremy review several multiple choice questions related to anesthesia. The topics range from postoperative visual loss to signs you may see when giving sugammadex. Say what?  That’s right, it’s Q & A day! What You'll Learn Determine the signs asso ..read more

Episode Summary Today we dive into a discussion about Parkinson’s disease. We talk about what causes this disease, how it is medically and pharmacologically managed, and most important for CRNAs…what is the best evidence for taking care of patients who have Parkinson’s disease. There’s no doubt that at some point you will provide anesthesia for these patients and we want to help you, so sharpen those pencils and get ready to take some notes! What You'll Learn Determine the difference between Parkinson’s disease and Parkinsonism. Examine how Parkinson’s disease is pharmacologically managed. Di ..read more