The Nurse Anesthesia Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Episode 20: Hypotension with a Side of Vasoplegic Syndrome Feb 03, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of The Nurse Anesthesia Podcast, Jeremy & Sass discuss what happens when the routine treatments for intraoperative hypotension don’t work, and focus on the interventions you can consider when refractory hypotension occurs. They talk about different causes of refractory hypotension with a focus on vasoplegic syndrome. They discuss the differences between refractory hypotension and vasoplegic syndrome, and then identify the potential causes and specific treatments for this rare condition.

References

Arevalo VN. Methylene Blue as an adjunct to Treat Vasoplegia in patients undergoing Cardiac Surgery Requiring Cardiopulmonary Bypass: A Literature Review. AANA J. 2018;86(6):455-463.
Habib MA. Methylene Blue for Vasoplegic Syndrome Postcardiac Surgery. Indian J Crit Care Med. 2018;22(3) 168-173.
Hosseinian L. Methylene Blue: Magic Bullet for Vasoplegia. Anesthesia and Analgesia. 2016;122(1):194-201.
Levy B. Vasoplegia Treatments: The past, the present and the future. Critical Care. 2018;22(1):52.
Liu H. Vasoplegic syndrome: An update on perioperative considerations. Journal of Clinical Anesthesia. 2017;40:63-71.

About The Nurse Anesthesia

We are building a commUNITY of learning in anesthesia and critical care! For anyone who wants to learn or review anesthesia concepts…we will set you up for a successful educational jOURney by providing short, meaningful courses to accelerate your nurse anesthesia learning, tackle your training, and become the successful CRNA you have always dreamed of. Let's do this together. It's Go Time!

our CRISIS MANAGEMENT SERIES is currently available!

Learn more about it at www.thenurseanesthesia.com

We post about all things anesthesia. Follow us on Instagram @thenurseanesthesiaLegal Disclaimer

The Nurse Anesthesia INC. expressly disclaims any liability in connection with the use of any content in its podcasts, social media posts, and all other published content by any third party.

Music by Alex Grohl

Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast

info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode 19: Push Dose Vasopressors in Anesthesia Jan 20, 2025

Show notes

Anesthesia induced hypotension is commonly treated with push dose vasopressors. Today Jeremy & Sass dive into what the 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?
References

Kee W, et al. Randomized double-blinded comparison of norepinephrine and phenylephrine for maintenance of blood pressure during spinal anesthesia for cesarean delivery. Anesthesiology. 2015 Apr;122(4):736-45.
Larson S, et al. Effect of phenylephrine on cerebral oxygen saturation and cardiac output in adults when used to treat intraoperative hypotension: a systematic review. BI Evid Synth. 2020 Sep 15;19(1):34-58.
Meng L,et al. Effect of phenylephrine and ephedrine bolus treatment on cerebral oxygenation in anaesthetized patients. Br J Anaesth. 2011 Aug; 107(2): 209–217.
Mohta M, et al. Comparison of the potency of phenylephrine and norepinephrine bolus doses used to treat post-spinal hypotension during elective caesarean section. Int J Obstet Anesth. 2019 May;38:25-31.
Nissen P, et al. Phenylephrine but not ephedrine reduces frontal lobe oxygenation following anesthesia-induced hypotension. Neurocrit Care. 2010 Feb;12(1):17-23.
Pelaez A, et al. Effect of adrenergic agonists on coronary blood flow: a laboratory study in healthy volunteers. Physiol Rep. 2016 May;4(10):e12806.
Pancaro C, et al. Risk of Major Complications After Perioperative Norepinephrine Infusion Through Peripheral Intravenous Lines in a Multicenter Study. Anesth Analg. 2020;131(4):1060-1065.
Sharkey A. Comparison of Intermittent Intravenous Boluses of Phenylephrine and Norepinephrine to Prevent and Treat Spinal-Induced Hypotension in Cesarean Deliveries: Randomized Controlled Trial. Anesth Analg. 2019 Nov;129(5):1312-1318.
Simons C. The Safety and Efficacy of Peripherally Administered Norepinephrine during the Perioperative Period. AANA J. 2022;90(5):387-395.
Thiele R, et al. The physiologic implications of isolated alpha(1) adrenergic stimulation. Anesth Analg. 2011 Aug;113(2):284-96.
Vallee F, et al. Norepinephrine reduces arterial compliance less than phenylephrine when treating general anesthesia-induced arterial hypotension. Acta Anaesthesiol Scand. 2017 Jul;61(6):590-600.

About The Nurse Anesthesia

our CRISIS MANAGEMENT SERIES is currently available!

Learn more about it at www.thenurseanesthesia.com

We post about all things anesthesia. Follow us on Instagram @thenurseanesthesia

Comments or Suggestions?

We’re here to help you improve your anesthesia learning and practice, and we want to make sure our content is relevant for you. Please contact us on Instagram with suggestions

Legal Disclaimer

The Nurse Anesthesia INC. expressly disclaims any liability in connection with the use of any content in its podcasts, social media posts, and all other published content by any third party

Music by Alex Grohl

Episode 18: POCUS Assessments of the Airway Jan 06, 2025

Show notes

Episode Summary

Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) assessments of the airway is simply awesome! By utilizing POCUS during our preoperative airway examination, we can now determine with a greater certitude the level of difficulty of a patient’s airway as well as locate anatomical structures (such as the cricothyroid membrane) and endotracheal tube positioning within the airway.

In today’s episode Jeremy and Mark go over basic ultrasound skills and then discuss the various POCUS airway assessments. They then discuss two POCUS techniques for locating the cricothyroid membrane and finish up with a discussion on how to determine where the endotracheal tube is positioned using POCUS. It most definitely is POCUS “Go Time”!

Link to Ultrasound Images: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/13/9/1541

(Click on “Browse Figures”)

References

1. Lin J, et al. Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Airway Evaluation and Management: A Comprehensive Review. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023;13(9):1541. Published 2023 Apr 25.

2. Gomes SH, et al. The Use of Ultrasound in Airway Management: Video in Clinical Anesthesia. Anesth Analg. 2024;139(4):887-890.

About The Nurse Anesthesia

We are building a commUNITY of learning in anesthesia and critical care. For anyone who wants to learn or review anesthesia concepts…we will set you up for a successful educational jOURney by providing short, meaningful courses to accelerate your nurse anesthesia learning, tackle your training, and become the successful CRNA you have always dreamed of. Let's do this together. It's Go Time!

Our CRISIS MANAGEMENT SERIES is currently available!

Learn more about it at www.thenurseanesthesia.com

We post about all things anesthesia. Follow us on Instagram @thenurseanesthesia

Comments or Suggestions?

We’re here to help you improve your anesthesia learning and practice, and we want to make sure our content is relevant for you. Please contact us on Instagram with suggestions.

Legal Disclaimer

The Nurse Anesthesia INC. expressly disclaims any liability in connection with the use of any content in its podcasts, social media posts, and all other published content by any third party.

Music by Alex Grohl

Episode 17: Anesthesia Q&A Round 4 - Reversals Medications for Opioid, Benzodiazepine, and Neuromuscular Blocking Agents Dec 16, 2024

Show notes

Episode Summary

Every fourth episode we will release a podcast where we ask and answer questions about an anesthesiology or pharmacological topic and we’ll call it ANESTHESIA Q&A. We do this to help our community solidify their learning! We also produce these episodes because nurse anesthesia students and practicing CRNAs are all engaged in answering questions whether it be on exams during anesthesia school or for CRNA recertification.

In today’s episode we focus on reversal medications for opioids, benzodiazepines, and neuromuscular blocking drugs…all medications commonly used in ICUs and during anesthesia practice. This is Anesthesia Q&A Round 4!

Resources/information discussed in podcast:
• 2023 American Society of Anesthesiologists Practice Guidelines for Monitoring and Antagonism of Neuromuscular Blockade: https://pubs.asahq.org/anesthesiology/article/138/1/13/137379/2023-American-Society-of-Anesthesiologists

About The Nurse Anesthesia

We are currently developing anesthesia content! Learn more about The Nurse Anesthesia at www.thenurseanesthesia.com

We post about all things anesthesia. Follow us on Instagram @thenurseanesthesia

Comments or Suggestions?

We’re here to help you improve your anesthesia learning and practice, and we want to make sure our content is relevant for you. Please contact us on Instagram with suggestions.

Legal Disclaimer

The Nurse Anesthesia INC. expressly disclaims any liability in connection with the use of any content in its podcasts, social media posts, and all other published content by any third party.

Music by Alex Grohl

Episode 16: Got Stress? BVM It! Dec 02, 2024

Show notes

We all experience acute stress. Sometimes on a daily basis. In this episode Jeremy breaks down acute stress and talks about the anatomy and physiology of stress. He reviews a theory on how highly stressful situations can both physiologically and psychologically affect our thinking and performance. He also points out how a certain amount of acute stress is actually helpful.

Then Jeremy discusses the meaning of BVM and how breathing, body position, visualizing success, speaking positively and motivating oneself with a mantra can help us deal with acute stress and come out on top. Got stress? BVM it!

References

David Grossman –On Combat: The Psychology and Physiology of Deadly Conflict in War and in Peace by Lt.-Col. Dave Grossman and Loren W. Christensen, PPCT Research Publications, 2004.
A good site to see a representation of Grossmans’ Graph of how stress affects one’s psychological and physiological response: https://emcrit.org/emcrit/on-combat-by-grossman/
Marcus, H. et al. “Practice makes perfect? The role of simulation-based deliberate practice and script-based mental rehearsal in the acquisition and maintenance of operative neurosurgical skills.” Neurosurgery vol. 72 Suppl 1 (2013): 124-30.
Sanders, CW. et al. “Comparing the effects of physical practice and mental imagery rehearsal on learning basic surgical skills by medical students.” American journal of obstetrics and gynecology vol. 191,5 (2004): 1811-4.
Cryder, S. et al. “Guided, motor, and mental imagery adjuncts to teaching central venous access.” AEM education and training vol. 7,2 e10867. 11 Apr. 2023, doi:10.1002/aet2.10867
Hatzigeorgiadis, et al. Self-Talk and Sports Performance A Meta-Analysis. Perspectives on Psychological Science. 2011 6(4), 348–356.
Tod, D., et al. Effects of self-talk: A systematic review. Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology. 2011 33(5), 666.

About The Nurse Anesthesia

We are building a commUNITY of learning in anesthesia and critical care. We want to set you up for a successful educational jOURney by providing short, meaningful courses to accelerate your critical care and nurse anesthesia learning. It's Go Time!

We’re excited to introduce THE NURSE ANESTHESIA CRISIS MANAGEMENT SERIES! This series is designed to equip you with the tools and strategies to handle high-stakes moments in the OR and ICU. Pick it up at www.thenurseanesthesia.com

Legal Disclaimer

The Nurse Anesthesia INC. expressly disclaims any liability in connection with the use of any content in its podcasts, social media posts, and all other published content by any third party.

Music by Alex Grohl
Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast
info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode 15: How Anesthesia Uses Ketamine Nov 18, 2024

Show notes

In Episode 15 of the Nurse Anesthesia Podcast, Jeremy and Sass dive into the pharmacological world of ketamine. They talk about all the anesthesia situations where it can be useful. They discuss the pharmacology of ketamine, appropriate dosing, what the current evidence really shows about its use with increased intracranial pressure, and how it is frequently used for analgesia. It really is the Swiss army knife of anesthetic meds!
References

Aleksandrova LR, et al. Antidepressant effects of ketamine and the roles of AMPA glutamate receptors and other mechanisms beyond NMDA receptor antagonism. J Psychiatry Neurosci. 2017 Jul; 42(4): 222–229.
Bar-JosephG, et al. Effectiveness of Ketamine in Decreasing Intracranial Pressure in Children With Intracranial Hypertension. J Neurosurg Pediatr. 2009 Jul;4(1):40-6.
Farrell A, Bendo D. Perioperative Management of Severe Traumatic Brain Injury: What Is New? Curr Anesthesiol Rep. 2018; 8(3): 279–289.
Ghojazadeh M, et al. Using Ketamine and Propofol for Procedural Sedation of Adults in the Emergency Department: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Adv Pharm Bull. 2019 Feb;9(1):5-11.
Hashimoto K. Rapid‐acting antidepressant ketamine, its metabolites and other candidates: A historical overview and future perspective. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2019 Oct; 73(10): 613–627.
Jankauskas V, et al. A review of ketamine’s role in ECT and non-ECT settings
Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2018; 14: 1437–1450.
Liriano F, et al. Ketamine as treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder: a review.Drugs Context. 2019; 8: 212305.
Merelman AH, et al. Alternatives to Rapid Sequence Intubation: Contemporary Airway Management with Ketamine. West J Emerg Med. 2019 May; 20(3): 466–471.
Porter S. Perioperative ketamine for acute analgesia and beyond. Rom J Anaesth Intensive Care. 2019 Apr; 26(1): 67–73.

Sign up for The Nurse Anesthesia Courses
We are currently developing anesthesia content! Learn more about The Nurse Anesthesia at www.thenurseanesthesia.com

The Nurse Anesthesia INC. expressly disclaims any liability in connection with the use of any content in its podcasts, social media posts, and all other published content by any third party.
Music by Alex Grohl
Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast
info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode 14: POCUS of the Cricothyroid Membrane Nov 04, 2024

Show notes

In this episode Jeremy and Mark focus on the cricothyroid membrane. They discuss the anatomy, sizing, vasculature and orientation of this important airway landmark. They then highlight techniques for palpating the cricothyroid membrane, and finish up with a discussion that explains how to use Point of Care Ultrasound (POCUS) to mark where exact position of this membrane is on the neck. This is an episode you won’t want to miss!

References

Lin J, Bellinger R, Shedd A, et al. Point-of-Care Ultrasound in Airway Evaluation and Management: A Comprehensive Review. Diagnostics (Basel). 2023;13(9):1541. Published 2023 Apr 25. doi:10.3390/diagnostics13091541
Kristensen MS, Teoh WH, Rudolph SS. Ultrasonographic identification of the cricothyroid membrane: best evidence, techniques, and clinical impact. Br J Anaesth. 2016 Sep;117 Suppl 1:i39-i48. doi: 10.1093/bja/aew176. Epub 2016 Jul 17. PMID: 27432055.
Rai Y, You-Ten E, Zasso F, De Castro C, Ye XY, Siddiqui N. The role of ultrasound in front-of-neck access for cricothyroid membrane identification: A systematic review. J Crit Care. 2020 Dec;60:161-168. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2020.07.030. Epub 2020 Aug 13. PMID: 32836091. Journal of Anaesthesia, Volume 117, Issue suppl_1, September 2016, Pages i39–i48, https://doi.org/10.1093/bja/aew176
Hung KC, Chen IW, Lin CM, Sun CK. Comparison between ultrasound-guided and digital palpation techniques for identification of the cricothyroid membrane: a meta-analysis. Br J Anaesth. 2021 Jan;126(1):e9-e11. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2020.08.012. Epub 2020 Sep 28. PMID: 32896429.
Kristensen MS, Teoh WH. Ultrasound identification of the cricothyroid membrane: the new standard in preparing for front-of-neck airway access. Br J Anaesth. 2021 Jan;126(1):22-27. doi: 10.1016/j.bja.2020.10.004. Epub 2020 Oct 31. PMID: 33131758.
Siddiqui N, Arzola C, Friedman Z, Guerina L, You-Ten KE. Ultrasound Improves Cricothyrotomy Success in Cadavers with Poorly Defined Neck Anatomy: A Randomized Control Trial. Anesthesiology. 2015 Nov;123(5):1033-41. doi: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000000848. PMID: 26352376.

About The Nurse Anesthesia

We are currently developing anesthesia content! Learn more about The Nurse Anesthesia at www.thenurseanesthesia.com

We post about all things anesthesia. Follow us on Instagram @thenurseanesthesia

Comments or Suggestions?

We’re here to help you improve your anesthesia learning and practice, and we want to make sure our content is relevant for you. Please contact us on Instagram with suggestions.

Legal Disclaimer

The Nurse Anesthesia INC. expressly disclaims any liability in connection with the use of any content in its podcasts, social media posts, and all other published content by any third party.

Music by Alex Grohl
Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast
info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode 13: Anesthesia Q & A Round 3 - TNA Podcast Review Oct 21, 2024

Show notes

In today’s podcast Jeremy and Mark review several anesthesia concepts that were covered in previous episodes…specifically Malignant Hyperthermia, Pulse Oximetry, and Adrenal Crisis.

As educators we know it’s important to revisit and review anesthesia concepts in order to help with long term memory retention. There’s actually a learning technique called

spaced learning (or spaced repetition) where information is reviewed at increasing intervals over time, instead of being crammed in a single session.

This method leverages the psychological spacing effect, where learning and retention are more effective when study sessions are spread out. And in the context of learning anesthesia concepts, spaced learning helps learners more efficiently memorize and deeply understand complex topics by reinforcing the material at various intervals, allowing for better long-term retention.

Also, since all CRNAs will need to recertify their credential in the future with the NBCRNAs new MAC questions…these episodes will help with that too!

References

Bruder EA, Ball IM, Pickett W. 2015. Single induction dose of etomidate versus other induction agents for endotracheal intubation in critically ill patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. doi 10.1002/14651858.
Chabre O, et al. 2017. Epidemiology of primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency. Ann Endocrinol. 78(6):490-494.
Chan ED, et al. Pulse oximetry: understanding its basic principles
facilitates appreciation of its limitations. Respir Med. 2013 Jun;107(6):789-99.
Elisha, S., Heiner, J. S., & Nagelhout J. J. (2023). Nurse Anesthesia (7th ed.) Elsevier Saunders.
Elshal MM, et al. Perfusion Index: Could It Be a New Vital Sign? Front Med (Lausanne). 2021 Oct 1;8:651909.
Liu M., 2017. Perioperative steroid management. Anesthesiology, 127(1), 166-172.
www.mhaus.org
Yamamoto LG, et al. Nail polish does not significantly affect pulse oximetry measurements in mildly hypoxic subjects. Respir Care. 2008 Nov;53(11):1470-4.

Resources/information discussed in podcast

About The Nurse Anesthesia

For anyone who wants to learn or review anesthesia concepts…we will set you up for a successful educational jOURney by providing short, meaningful courses to accelerate your nurse anesthesia learning, tackle your training, and become the successful CRNA you have always dreamed of. Let's do this together. It's Go Time!

Learn more about The Nurse Anesthesia at www.thenurseanesthesia.com

Comments or Suggestions?

We’re here to help you improve your anesthesia learning and practice, and we want to make sure our content is relevant for you. Click here to share your comments and suggestions.

Legal Disclaimer

The Nurse Anesthesia INC. expressly disclaims any liability in connection with the use of any content in its podcasts, social media posts, and all other published content by any third party.

Music by Alex Grohl
Mixed & Edited by Next Day Podcast
info@nextdaypodcast.com

Episode 12: Acute Adrenal Crisis – What to Know! Oct 07, 2024

Show notes

In today’s episode Jeremy and Sass start by diving into normal physiologic function of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis. They then review how it’s regulated and the pathology/medications that can alter the HPA Axis. After that, it’s all about the adrenal glands, and Jeremy and Sass differentiate between Acute Adrenal Crisis and Adrenal Insufficiency. They talk about why chronic steroid use puts patients at risk for Adrenal Crisis and why cortisol is necessary for proper cardiovascular function and a whole lot more. This is definitely the nuts and bolts of “What you need to know”!

References

1. Bruder EA, Ball IM, Pickett W. 2015. Single induction dose of etomidate versus other induction agents for endotracheal intubation in critically ill patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. doi 10.1002/14651858.

2. Chabre O, et al. 2017. Epidemiology of primary and secondary adrenal insufficiency. Ann Endocrinol. 78(6):490-494.

3. Liu M., 2017. Perioperative steroid management. Anesthesiology, 127(1), 166-172.

About The Nurse Anesthesia

Learn more about The Nurse Anesthesia at www.thenurseanesthesia.com

Comments or Suggestions?

We’re here to help you improve your anesthesia learning and practice, and we want to make sure our content is relevant for you. Click here to share your comments and suggestions.

Legal Disclaimer

The Nurse Anesthesia INC. expressly disclaims any liability in connection with the use of any content in its podcasts, social media posts, and all other published content by any third party.

Music by Alex Grohl

Episode 11: Nitrous Oxide - The Original Blue Gas Sep 16, 2024

Show notes

Episode Summary

Nitrous oxide is one the OG of anesthesia gases and is one of three gases pipped into our anesthesia gas machine. It’s known on the anesthesia workstation by the color blue. In this episode Jeremy and Mark discuss the current use of nitrous oxide and both it’sdesirable and undesirable effects. Gear up to review or learn about the “Original Blue Gas”!

Resources/information discussed in podcast

You can pick up a copy of Emergency Management in Anesthesia and Critical Care (EMACC) on Amazon, or from Elsevier:https://evolve.elsevier.com/cs/product/9780443106934?role=student

About The Nurse Anesthesia

We are currently developing anesthesia content! Learn more about The Nurse Anesthesia at www.thenurseanesthesia.com

We post about all things anesthesia. Follow us on Instagram @thenurseanesthesia

Comments or Suggestions?

We’re here to help you improve your anesthesia learning and practice, and we want to make sure our content is relevant for you. Please contact us on Instagram with suggestions.

Legal Disclaimer

The Nurse Anesthesia INC. expressly disclaims any liability in connection with the use of any content in its podcasts, social media posts, and all other published content by any third party.

Music by Alex Grohl

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