The Critical Care Commute

09/23/2025

🚨 ICYMI: Remote River Rescue 🚁
Stranded. Injured. Miles from help.
This episode dives into the high-stakes world of wilderness emergency response.
Listen now! 🎧 Full episode: https://open.spotify.com/episode/23MZ2hYKUmklTq0PwAh0CN?si=6ae812e410414ba0

09/17/2025

🌊 When medicine meets wilderness.

Join Peter Brindley and Leon Byker as they speak with Dr. David Bertoni, ED physician and ECMO clinical lead, and Jorian Kippax, trauma specialist and military reservist, for a gripping account of a remote river rescue in Tasmania’s Franklin River - one of the most unforgiving terrains on Earth.

This mission involved:
- A trapped rafting party in dire need
- Logistical hurdles in extreme isolation
- A field amputation under pressure
- The deployment of ECMO in the wild

It’s a story of teamwork, innovation, and resilience under impossible conditions. A must listen for anyone in emergency medicine, trauma care, or wilderness response.

Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/23MZ2hYKUmklTq0PwAh0CN?si=G0h1DheJR7i4jUW1se-HZg

The Critical Care Commute Podcast · Episode

09/06/2025

🎙️ Just released: A powerful conversation with Professor Mervyn Singer, lead author of Sepsis 3.0 and a global authority on critical care.

In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of sepsis treatment - from antibiotics and steroids to metabolic therapies and the promise of precision medicine. Professor Singer also challenges long-standing clinical dogmas and advocates for individualized care over rigid protocols.

A must-listen for healthcare professionals, researchers, and anyone interested in the future of critical care.
🔗 https://open.spotify.com/episode/4hIHQRRSovffMvj1aLYB6N?si=c8A6OQtnSzWA7aK8hIuiQw

07/17/2025

🎙️ New podcast alert from !
Join Dr. Emilie Belley-Côté, cardiac intensivist & clinical trialist at McMaster University, as she demystifies the SCAI classification for cardiogenic shock.
🫀 From ED to cath lab to ICU, these five stages create a shared language for assessing severity, escalating care, and optimizing outcomes.
✨ Key takeaways:
• Early recognition of pre-shock (Stage B)
• Cross-specialty communication
• Real-world application with hemodynamics & biomarkers
• Where SCAI fits in advancing heart failure research
A must-listen for professionals in cardiac critical care.

Listen here:
Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/4cbg93Ta4FsHLXqFaltdSH?si=AWH447wETleyFcAY2MNZbw
Apple -
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/cardiogenic-shock-the-scai-classification-with-dr/id1651920943?i=1000717783920

07/04/2025

🧠✨ Psychedelics are moving from taboo to treatment—especially for those facing critical illness or end-of-life challenges.
In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. James Downar, a leading voice in palliative care, to unpack how these substances might help ease deep psychological and existential distress.
🎧 Tap the link to listen
https://open.spotify.com/episode/3tYUFC7is5Qxy0D8dxhizi?si=wpOwBulXS4e-2b1zO-P1bg
💬 Drop your thoughts in the comment

05/30/2025

🚑 Critical Care Commute is at CICM Hobart! 🎙️
Hosts Leon & Peter are in the thick of it—live recordings, engaging talks, and taking the stage as panelists. If you're at CICM, don’t miss the chance to catch them in action!
Stay tuned for insights, behind-the-scenes moments, and all the best from the world of critical care.

05/13/2025

🚨 New Episode Alert! 🚨
Dr. Mike Christian, Critical Care & Pre-Hospital Medicine Specialist, joins Drs. Brindley and Byker, to discuss the evolving landscape of emergency response.
From his unconventional career path to the integration of AI in pre-hospital care, Dr. Christian shares valuable insights on improving patient outcomes and what Canada can learn from global high-performance systems.
Learn more about his work with MedResponse BC, a groundbreaking initiative enhancing critical care outside hospital settings.
Listen now! 🎙️ https://open.spotify.com/episode/50jooOltZONQeTJLV8pHRR?si=e43M9h2zQVKP7366UqFaqQ
https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/if-it-goes-by-air-should-a-doctor-not-be-there-pre/id1651920943?i=1000708352067

04/30/2025

New episode alert!
Join hosts Leon Byker and Peter Brindley in their latest episode featuring Dr. Elizabeth Viglianti, Assistant Professor, Pulmonologist, and Critical Care Specialist, as they tackle the pressing issue of gender-based harassment in medicine. Dr. Viglianti shares her personal journey, impactful research, and practical solutions to foster equitable and supportive workplaces in healthcare. A must-watch for healthcare professionals dedicated to driving positive change!"
Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4jF50ue1VWIPXuj5vyRZVb?si=K1isbIgRTvOfNZb6ImMDXQ
Or on your favourite podcast player!

04/08/2025

Join Prof. Wendy Sligl, ID & ICU expert, as we dive into optimizing antibiotics in critical care: timely administration, effective communication, dosing strategies like loading doses & infusions, and personalized therapy durations. A vital discussion for better patient outcomes!
Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6DZJ9gozdVDoCHmW3vpcSA?si=IUQ2MM5LTX6K20X2-shAAQ

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/optimizing-antibiotics-with-prof-wendy-sligl/id1651920943?i=1000702743692

03/28/2025

Dr. Robert H. Bartlett, the "father of ECMO," has a fascinating life beyond his groundbreaking medical contributions: A hockey player, musician and author. But we mostly know him as an innovator!

03/25/2025

Excited to share our latest episode on for cardiac arrest! Recorded live at the Critical Care Canada Forum 2024 ( ), this special installment in our cardiac intensive care series features Dr. Darryl Abrams (), Associate Medical Director of the Medical ECMO Program at NewYork-Presbyterian.

We dive into:
- The landmark trials shaping the field: ARREST, Prague OHCA, and INCEPTION.
- Key system design factors for success—minimizing low-flow time, rapid cannulation, and team expertise.
- The ethical and practical challenges of expanding access to eCPR while balancing innovation and equity.
- Practical insights into building ECMO programs, patient selection, and scaling advanced interventions responsibly.

Dr. Abrams brings unparalleled expertise to explore the current state and future directions of . Don’t miss this deep dive into one of the most resource-intensive yet promising interventions in critical care. 💡

Check out the full episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6daC5HeVFLQo2xqM0TvGTH?si=07zH5MgYQVms1Ttk_ex21Q

03/18/2025

Top Tip Tuesday! “The Power of the Pause” In Critical Care, every second counts, but so does every decision. Taking a moment to pause, reassess, and ensure you’re on the right track can make all the difference. A well-timed pause isn’t a delay – it’s a powerful tool to prevent errors, refocus, and save lives.
Read more here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34338105/