Should You Avoid the Right IJ for Central Lines in Critically Ill Patients?
In this episode of the Saving Lives Podcast, Eddy Joe breaks down a 2025 Journal of Critical Care study examining how the choice of the internal jugular vein for initial central line placement impacts outcomes when patients later need hemodialysis catheters. You'll learn why using the left IJV first may reduce the need for repeat procedures and complications. Essential insights for optimizing central line strategy in the ICU.The Vasopressor & Inotrope HandbookAmazon: https://amzn.to/47qJZe1 (Affiliate Link)My Store: https://eddyjoemd.myshopify.com/products/the-vasopressor-inotrope-handbook (Use "podcast" to save 10%)Citation: Gharaibeh KA, Abdelhafez MO, Guedze KEB, Siddiqi H, Hamadah AM, Verceles AC. Impact of initial jugular vein insertion site selection for central venous catheter placement on hemodialysis catheter complications. J Crit Care. 2025 Jun;87:155011. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2024.155011. Epub 2025 Jan 3. PMID: 39755012.
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Acetazolamide + Furosemide: Boosting Diuretic Response & Fighting Alkalosis in the ICU
In this episode, we dive into a new pilot RCT exploring the addition of acetazolamide to furosemide in critically ill patients. We break down the study’s methods, findings, and practical implications for fluid management in the ICU. Could this inexpensive, decades-old drug be the key to sustaining diuresis and preventing metabolic alkalosis? Tune in to find out.The Vasopressor & Inotrope HandbookAmazon: https://amzn.to/47qJZe1 (Affiliate Link)My Store: https://eddyjoemd.myshopify.com/products/the-vasopressor-inotrope-handbook (Use "podcast" to save 10%)Citation: Maeda A, Brown A, Spano S, Chaba A, Phongphithakchai A, Hikasa Y, Pattamin N, Kitisin N, Nübel J, Nielsen B, Holmes J, Peck L, Young H, Eastwood G, Bellomo R, Neto AS. Furosemide with adjunctive acetazolamide vs furosemide only in critically ill patients: A pilot two-center randomized controlled trial. J Crit Care. 2025 Apr;86:155002. doi: 10.1016/j.jcrc.2024.155002. Epub 2024 Dec 16. PMID: 39689380.
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Methylprednisolone vs. Hydrocortisone: Which Can Save More Lives in Severe Pneumonia?
In this episode of the Saving Lives Podcast, we review a July 2025 study from the Journal of Intensive Care comparing methylprednisolone and hydrocortisone for severe pneumonia treatment. The discussion focuses on how these findings may influence clinical decisions, particularly for patients with septic shock. The Vasopressor & Inotrope HandbookAmazon: https://amzn.to/47qJZe1 (Affiliate Link)My Store: https://eddyjoemd.myshopify.com/products/the-vasopressor-inotrope-handbook (Use "podcast" to save 10%)Sato T, Sasabuchi Y, Inokuchi R, Aso S, Yasunaga H, Doi K. Mortality of severe pneumonia treated with methylprednisolone versus hydrocortisone: a propensity-matched analysis. J Intensive Care. 2025 Jul 15;13(1):39. doi: 10.1186/s40560-025-00810-1. PMID: 40665428; PMCID: PMC12261853.
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Sodium Bicarbonate for ICU Acidosis: New Evidence Supporting a Controversial Therapy
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 HandbookAmazon: https://amzn.to/47qJZe1 (Affiliate Link)My Store: https://eddyjoemd.myshopify.com/products/the-vasopressor-inotrope-handbook (Use "podcast" to save 10%)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.
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Predicting Mortality in a Pulmonary Embolism: What the Data Really Tells Us
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 HandbookAmazon: 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.
Sobre Saving Lives Podcast: Critical Care w/eddyjoemd
Saving Lives Podcast: Critical Care w/eddyjoemd is a podcast that reviews evidence-based strategies to care for the critically ill patient in the Intensive Care Unit and other topics in Medicine. It is hosted by Eddy Joe Gutierrez, MD, a board-certified critical care physician.
In each episode, Dr. Gutierrez discusses the latest research and best practices in Intensive Care Medicine. He also shares his own insights and experiences as an Intensivist/Critical Care physician.
The podcast is designed for healthcare professionals who want to stay up-to-date with evidence-based medicine.