In this episode of the Saving Lives Podcast, we break down a 2025 study from Intensive Care Medicine that emulates a target trial on the use of sodium bicarbonate in ICU patients with metabolic acidosis. With over 6,000 patients across 12 Australian ICUs, the study reveals a small but significant reduction in mortality and RRT use with bicarbonate therapy. Tune in to learn how this could transform our clinical approach to acidemia in the critically ill patients.

The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook

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Citation: Blank SP, Blank RM, Laupland KB, Tabah A, Gill D, Kumar A, White K, Attokaran A, Luke S, Whebell S, Garrett P, McCullough J, McIlroy P, Ramanan M; Queensland Critical Care Research Network (QCCRN). Sodium bicarbonate administration for metabolic acidosis in the intensive care unit: a target trial emulation. Intensive Care Med. 2025 Jun;51(6):1-9. doi: 10.1007/s00134-025-07979-x. Epub 2025 Jun 10. PMID: 40493225; PMCID: PMC12208957.

In this episode of the Saving Lives Podcast, we review a comprehensive 2025 meta-analysis on mortality risk factors in pulmonary embolism. Learn which clinical signs, biomarkers, and imaging findings most strongly predict outcomes — and how they can guide triage and therapy decisions in acute PE cases. A must-listen for anyone managing thromboembolic disease in the critically ill patients.

The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook

Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/47qJZe1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Affiliate Link)

My Store: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://eddyjoemd.myshopify.com/products/the-vasopressor-inotrope-handbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Use "podcast" to save 10%)

Citation: You W, Fan XY, Chen Y, Wang XL, Song J, Nie CC, Dong Q. Risk Factors for Mortality in Patients with Pulmonary Embolism-A Meta-Analysis. J Intensive Care Med. 2025 May 5:8850666251326539. doi: 10.1177/08850666251326539. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 40320917.

In this episode of the Saving Lives Podcast, we review a 2025 NEJM-Evidence study analyzing over 21,000 cases of severe hyponatremia to determine the safest and most effective correction rates. Learn why moderate correction (8–10 mmol/L/day) may actually reduce mortality, and how central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) remains rare even with faster correction.

The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook

I have written "The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook: A Practical Guide for Healthcare Professionals," a must-read for anyone caring for critically ill patients (check out the reviews)! You have several options to get a physical copy.

Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/47qJZe1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Affiliate Link)

My Store: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://eddyjoemd.myshopify.com/products/the-vasopressor-inotrope-handbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Use "podcast" to save 10%)

Citation: Seethapathy H, Zhao S, Ouyang T, Passos C, Sarang A, Cheung PW, Waikar SS, Steele DJR, Kalim S, Allegretti AS, Ayus JC, Nigwekar SU. Severe Hyponatremia Correction, Mortality, and Central Pontine Myelinolysis. NEJM Evid. 2023 Oct;2(10):EVIDoa2300107. doi: 10.1056/EVIDoa2300107. Epub 2023 Sep 26. PMID: 38320180.

In this episode, we analyze a June 2025 study from the Journal of Intensive Care, which shows that lower hemoglobin levels at admission are strongly associated with worse outcomes in cardiogenic shock. We dive into the data from the FRENSHOCK registry, uncover key subgroup findings, and discuss implications for transfusion strategies. Could this shift how we manage anemia in shock? Tune in and find out.

The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook

I have written "The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook: A Practical Guide for Healthcare Professionals," a must-read for anyone caring for critically ill patients (check out the reviews)! You have several options to get a physical copy.

Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/47qJZe1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Affiliate Link)

My Store: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://eddyjoemd.myshopify.com/products/the-vasopressor-inotrope-handbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Use "podcast" to save 10%)

Citation: Cherbi M, Levy B, Merdji H, Puymirat E, Bonnefoy E, Vardon F, Elbaz M, Morel O, Leurent G, Lamblin N, Gerbaud E, Gautier P, Roubille F, Delmas C. Hemoglobin in cardiogenic shock: the lower, the poorer survival. J Intensive Care. 2025 Jun 23;13(1):36. doi: 10.1186/s40560-025-00805-y. PMID: 40551259.

In this episode of the Saving Lives Podcast, we reviews a 2024 multicenter study on valproic acid for hyperactive delirium and agitation in ICU patients. The findings show that VPA may help reduce sedation needs, improve ventilator synchrony, and resolve delirium without major adverse effects. Tune in for practical insights into this emerging option for complex critical care cases.

The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook

I have written "The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook: A Practical Guide for Healthcare Professionals," a must-read for anyone caring for critically ill patients (check out the reviews)! You have several options to get a physical copy.

Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/47qJZe1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Affiliate Link)

My Store: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://eddyjoemd.myshopify.com/products/the-vasopressor-inotrope-handbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Use "podcast" to save 10%)

Citation: Nuti O, Merchan C, Ahuja T, Arnouk S, Papadopoulos J, Katz A. Valproic Acid for Hyperactive Delirium and Agitation in Critically Ill Patients. J Intensive Care Med. 2025 May;40(5):519-527. doi: 10.1177/08850666241302760. Epub 2024 Dec 8. PMID: 39648603.

In this episode of the Saving Lives Podcast, we discuss a study from Intensive Care Medicine that explores whether baseline serum chloride and pH affect outcomes with balanced fluids versus saline. The findings from the PLUS trial show no significant interaction, but intriguing trends suggest that hyperchloremic patients may benefit more from balanced fluids.

The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook

I have written "The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook: A Practical Guide for Healthcare Professionals," a must-read for anyone caring for critically ill patients (check out the reviews)! You have several options to get a physical copy.

Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/47qJZe1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Affiliate Link)

My Store: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://eddyjoemd.myshopify.com/products/the-vasopressor-inotrope-handbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Use "podcast" to save 10%)

Citation: Ramanan M, Hammond N, Billot L, Delaney A, Devaux A, Finfer S, Li Q, Micallef S, Venkatesh B, Young PJ, Myburgh J; PLUS Investigators. Serum chloride concentration and outcomes in adults receiving intravenous fluid therapy with a balanced crystalloid solution or 0.9% sodium chloride. Intensive Care Med. 2025 Feb;51(2):249-258. doi: 10.1007/s00134-024-07764-2. Epub 2025 Feb 10. PMID: 39928118.

In this episode of the Saving Lives Podcast, we break down a randomized trial from CHEST (2025) comparing Normosol-R vs. Lactated Ringer’s in critically ill adults. Learn whether acetate/gluconate-buffered fluids offer advantages over lactate-buffered solutions regarding acid-base balance, kidney function, and mortality. Tune in to hear how this study impacts critical care fluid management!

The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook

I have written "The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook: A Practical Guide for Healthcare Professionals," a must-read for anyone caring for critically ill patients (check out the reviews)! You have several options to get a physical copy.

Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/47qJZe1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Affiliate Link)

My Store: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://eddyjoemd.myshopify.com/products/the-vasopressor-inotrope-handbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Use "podcast" to save 10%)

Citation: Qian ET, Brown RM, Jackson KE, Wang L, Stollings JL, Freundlich RE, Wanderer JP, Siew ED, Bernard GR, Self WH, Casey JD, Rice TW, Semler MW; Pragmatic Critical Care Research Group. Normosol-R versus Lactated Ringers in the Critically Ill: A Randomized Trial. Chest. 2025 Feb 17:S0012-3692(25)00165-5. doi: 10.1016/j.chest.2025.02.008. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39971001.

In this episode of the Saving Lives Podcast, we review a 2025 study from Critical Care Medicine comparing lactated Ringer’s and normal saline for initial fluid resuscitation in sepsis-induced hypotension. The findings suggest that LR may improve survival and increase hospital-free days compared to NS, supporting current guidelines favoring balanced crystalloids. Tune in for a deep dive into the study’s results and clinical implications!

The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook

I have written "The Vasopressor & Inotrope Handbook: A Practical Guide for Healthcare Professionals," a must-read for anyone caring for critically ill patients (check out the reviews)! You have several options to get a physical copy.

Amazon: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://amzn.to/47qJZe1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Affiliate Link)

My Store: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://eddyjoemd.myshopify.com/products/the-vasopressor-inotrope-handbook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (Use "podcast" to save 10%)

Citation: Gelbenegger G, Shapiro NI, Zeitlinger M, Jilma B, Douglas IS, Jorda A. Lactated Ringer's or Normal Saline for Initial Fluid Resuscitation in Sepsis-Induced Hypotension. Crit Care Med. 2025 Feb 19. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000006601. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39969246.