Neuro Resus

The good news in resuscitation is that there have not been any new advances that mandate a change in practice since the 2016 ANZCOR Guidelines. The bad news is that despite our best intent, the ever-increasing research appears unable to demonstrate improved outcomes with any particular approach. Two of the most exciting areas (eCPR and post-resuscitation care) are being covered in detail at separate talks at this meeting. This presentation will focus on updating the audience on the more continuous approach to evidence evaluation, and the key recent publications that have made us at least re-evaluate our practices in BLS (including ventilation), ALS (including anti-arrhythmics) and peri-resuscitation care.

The Fellowship abroad: Dr Peta Alexander

Research Fellowship: Dr Elissa Milford

Simulation Fellowship: Dr Sile Smith

Trauma Fellowship: Dr Fraser Magee

Echo Fellowship: Dr Sebastian Knudsen

Renal Replacement Therapy: When to STARRT? by Professor Andrew Udy

There has been a potpourri of papers released in the last 12 months of interest to Intensivists. Some have solved the great mysteries of the universe, some have sparked the interest for more high-quality research and others have left us scratching our heads. This talk will give a snapshot of the Top 10 Critical Care papers of the last year.

Basic bronchoscopy skills are considered a core component ability for all Intensive Care trainees. A few simple tricks to remember anatomy can make a relative bronch novice look like a seasoned pro. Remember 4 rules when looking down a bronchoscope:

1. Walls to the back

Every bronchus looks the same as every bronchus once you have already jumped in, so always identify the posterior wall to orientate yourself

1. Carina is your friend – visit her often.

Everyone gets lost. When this happens, don't go on, go back to the carina

1. The right middle lobe and lingula are anterior anatomical structures

When you look down a scope, the right middle lobe is not in the middle, medial or any other stupid word beginning with 'm'……….it is anterior, seriously!

1. The apical segment of the lower lobes is a posterior anatomical structure.

The fact that you even know this thing exists will so impress your colleagues and boss that no one will dare ask you any other bronchoscopy anatomy questions.

This short talk will focus on the who, why, how, what, and when of diagnosis and management of pulmonary hypertension and the right ventricle:

• Who gets pulmonary hypertension?
• Why is pulmonary hypertension important?

• How do I diagnose pulmonary hypertension?
• What are the most important practical management strategies?
• When should I use advanced monitors and expensive pharmacotherapies?

Both acute and chronic pulmonary hypertension will be discussed, and the emphasis will be on practical management of patients in the intensive care environment.

Acute liver failure for the intensivist by Dr David Anderson

The understanding around the metabolic response to the stress of critical illness has evolved rapidly over the past decade.

This involves a neuroendocrine and an inflammatory component, which results in perturbations within the sympathetic nervous system, the hypothalamo-pituitary axis and the immune system.

The clinical consequences are widespread and include changes in metabolic rate, altered use of macronutrients as energy sources, stress hyperglycaemia, muscle wasting and changes in body composition. Many of these manifestations are akin to the metabolic syndrome observed in ambulatory populations. Medium to long-term effects of these metabolic disturbances involve bone health, cognitive and behavioral alterations.

Knowledge of these effects is relevant due to the potential therapeutic implications, which will be discussed.

What the boss wants: getting a consultant job by Dr Priya Nair & Dr Ray Raper

The Australian population away from metropolitan areas has the same health care needs and deserves the same level of care (within available resources) as urban residents: we can and should provide it.

This short talk aims to explore work in a non-tertiary centre ICU as a career option and why it's worth considering. It will look at what life and work are really like in non-metropolitan areas and how and why working in a regional ICU can be a rewarding career. It will try and dispel some misconceptions as well as present some of the challenges (and how to overcome them) that arise while working outside capital cities. This is meant to be a light-hearted look at living and working in the bush or on the beach and an insight into a career path often overlooked by city-based trainees, not a hard-core recruitment drive or a critique of urban life/tertiary centre work. Come along with an open mind and have a look: you may discover a lifestyle and workplace you didn't realise could suit you, for the short or longer term.