Critical Care Corner

Device overview, indications, setup, monitoring, timing, waveform interpretation, and common pitfalls.

Microaxial pump mechanism, device types (CP, 5.0, 5.5, RP), console management, troubleshooting, and clinical pearls.

Swan-Ganz catheters, arterial lines, waveform interpretation, derived variables, and shock profiles.

Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy: modalities, prescription, anticoagulation, circuit management, troubleshooting, and bedside pearls.

Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: VV vs VA modes, circuit physiology, hemodynamic management, complications, and bedside troubleshooting.

Implanted continuous-flow pump that carries blood from the left ventricle to the aorta; a pulse may be weak or absent, so do not rely on it.

A ventilator delivers each breath: set volume or pressure, rate and PEEP to ventilate and oxygenate while limiting lung stretch.

Find the cause of a ventilator alarm at the bedside: patient, tube, circuit or machine, read from the pressure and flow waveforms.

Pain first, then light sedation for ventilated ICU adults: agent choice, RASS targets, delirium screening and daily awakening trials.

How an EVD drains CSF and measures ICP, and how the team keeps cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) in range after brain injury or hemorrhage.

How a temporary pacemaker paces the heart through a transvenous catheter or epicardial wires, and how the team confirms capture and sensing.

How falling cabin pressure changes gas volume, oxygen delivery and patient stability, and what to adjust before and during flight.

How air medical crews plan, land, fly and hand off safely: risk analysis, landing zones, ground crew, radio and crew hazards