Dr. Zaffer Qasim interviews expert panelists Dr. David Fischer and Dr. Matthew Kirschen about a particularly challenging aspect of critical care medicine - brain death testing. National guidance surrounding this topic has recently been updated, and it is imperative that critical care clinicians understand the intricacies of this important evaluation. 

References: 

1.       Greer DM, Kirschen MP, Lewis A, Gronseth GS, Rae-Grant A, Ashwal S, Babu MA, Bauer DF, Billinghurst L, Corey A, Partap S, Rubin MA, Shutter L, Takahashi C, Tasker RC, Varelas PN, Wijdicks E, Bennett A, Wessels SR, Halperin JJ. Pediatric and Adult Brain Death/Death by Neurologic Criteria Consensus Guideline. Neurology. 2023 Dec 12;101(24):1112-1132. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000207740. Epub 2023 Oct 11. Erratum in: Neurology. 2024 Feb 13;102(3):e208108. doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000208108. PMID: 37821233; PMCID: PMC10791061. https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000207740

Kirschen MP, Lewis A, Greer DM. The 2023 American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Pediatrics, Child Neurology Society, and Society of Critical Care Medicine Pediatric and Adult Brain Death/Death by Neurologic Criteria Determination Consensus Guidelines: What the Critical Care Team Needs to Know. Crit Care Med. 2024 Mar 1;52(3):376-386. doi: 10.1097/CCM.0000000000006099. Epub 2023 Nov 3. PMID: 37921516. https://journals.lww.com/ccmjournal/abstract/2024/03000/the_2023_american_academy_of_neurology,_american.3.aspx 

Dr. Mohammed Bawazeer and Dr. Aimee LaRiccia discuss Small Bowel Obstructions with two expert ACS surgeons, Dr. Matthew Martin and Dr. Andrea Pakula. These experts delve into the complex management of this disease with a special focus on Minimally Invasive Techniques. 

Join Dr. Anaar Siletz and Dr. Joshua Dilday with the expert Guest Dr. Michael Cripps, and Fellow Guest Dr. Arielle Thomas-Jonasson. This is the twelfth episode of the Surgical Critical Care Review Series. This is a unique collaborative initiative between EAST and AAST. During this episode we will be discussing GI Bleeding and prophylaxis, Abdominal compartment syndrome, Acute pancreatitis/ necrotizing pancreatitis, Toxic megacolon and Ogilvie's syndrome  and Esophageal emergencies.

Content preparation: Dr. Arielle Thomas-Jonasson
Content reviewers: Dr. Joshua Dilday and Dr. Anaar Siletz
Moderators: Dr. Joshua Dilday and Dr. Anaar Siletz
Expert Guest: Dr. Michael Cripps
Fellow Guest: Dr. Arielle Thomas-Jonasson

Topics covered in this episode:

• GI Bleeding and Prophylaxis
• Abdominal Compartment Syndrome
• Toxic Megacolon and Ogilvie's Syndrome
• Esophageal Emergencies

Dr. Anthony DeSantis and Dr. Lauren Craugh discuss Care of the Obstetrical Trauma Patient with Dr. Sigrid Burruss and Dr. Allison Lankford. From the physiologic differences that impact the ABCs to the unique laboratory markers of impending organ system failure this discussion will be an asset to your next trauma toolbox. 

Resources:  Burruss, Sigrid MD; Jebbia, Mallory MD; Nahmias, Jeffry MD, MHPE. Pregnancy and trauma: What you need to know. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery 98(2):p 190-196, February 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/TA.0000000000004478

Join Dr. Mohammed Bawazeer with the expert Guest Dr. Neeraj Badjatia, and Fellows Guests Dr. Jennifer Brewer and Dr. Leah Aakjar. This is the eleventh episode of the Surgical Critical Care Review Series. This is a unique collaborative initiative between EAST and AAST. During this episode we will be discussing PADIS Guidelines, Status Epilepticus and Non-traumatic Intracranial Hemorrhage.

Content preparation: Dr. Uzer Khan, Dr. Mohammed Bawazeer, Dr. Jennifer Brewer, and Dr. Leah Aakjar
Content reviewers: Dr. Mohammed Bawazeer & Dr. Neeraj Badjatia
Moderator: Dr. Mohammed Bawazeer
Expert Guest: Dr. Neeraj Badjatia
Fellow Guests: Dr. Leah Aakjar & Dr. Jennifer Brewer

Topics covered in this episode:

• PADIS Practice Management Guidelines
• Status Epilepticus
• Non-traumatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Join Dr. Ida Molavi and Dr. Joshua Dilday with the expert Guest Dr. Purvi Patel, and Fellows Guest Dr. Caitlyn Braschi. This is the tenth episode of the Surgical Critical Care Review Series. This is a unique collaborative initiative between EAST, AAST and AAST-AMC. During this episode we will be discussing Traumatic Brain Injury, Spinal Cord Injuries and Blunt Cerebrovascular injuries.

Content preparation: Dr. Caitlyn Braschi
Content reviewers: Dr. Ida Molavi & Dr. Joshua Dilday
Moderators: Dr. Ida Molavi & Dr. Joshua Dilday
Expert Guest: Dr. Purvi Patel
Fellow Guest: Dr. Caitlyn Braschi

Topics covered in this episode:

• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
• Blunt Cerebrovascular Injuries (BCVI)

Dr. Shyam Murali interviews Dr. Jamie Coleman and Dr. Patrick Murphy about their recent EAST Multicenter Trial looking at Acute Care Surgery service staffing, the physiologic toll of call on the body and determining how to “rightsize the workforce.. 

References: Murphy, Patrick B. MD, MPH, MSc; Coleman, Jamie J. MD; et al; The ACS Staffing Authorship Group. Understaffed and overworked: The stark reality of acute care surgeon staffing in the United States, an Eastern Association for the Surgery of Trauma multicenter study. Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery ():10.1097/TA.0000000000004700, July 4, 2025. | DOI: 10.1097/TA.0000000000004700 

Join Dr. Erika Bisgaard with the expert Guest Dr. Scott Brakenridge, and Fellow Guest Dr. Erin White. This is the nineth episode of the Surgical Critical Care Review Series. This is a unique collaborative initiative between EAST, AAST and AAST-AMC. During this episode we will be discussing early management of septic shock, surviving sepsis campaign, Ventilator associated Pneumonia, C. Diff colitis and Necrotizing soft Tissue infections.
 
Content preparation: Dr. Erika Bisgaard & Dr. Mohammed Bawazeer
Content reviewer: Dr. Alex Brito
Moderator: Dr. Erika Bisgaard
Expert Guest: Dr. Scott Brakenridge
Fellow Guests: Dr. Erin White

Topics covered in this episode:

• Sepsis, septic shock and Surviving sepsis guidelines
• VAP and pulmonary infections
• C diff colitis 
• Necrotizing soft tissue infections 

Join Dr. Michael Cline and Dr. Lauren Dudas as they discuss the Management of Hemothorax with Dr. Chasen Croft.

• Diagnosis
• When to place a chest tube,
• Chest irrigation using the CLR irrigator system
• Considerations for operative intervention 
• Chest tube removal

Join Dr. Ida Molavi, Dr. Najiha Farooqi and Dr. Caitlin Fitzgerald with the expert Guest Dr. Joseph Cuschieri, and Fellows Guests Dr. Gerald Wang and Dr. Kirea Mazzolini. This is the eighth episode of the Surgical Critical Care Review Series. This is a unique collaborative initiative between EAST and AAST. During this episode we will be discussing Shock pathophysiology and classification, Resuscitation, Types of Vasopressors and the general approach to different types of Shock. 

Content preparation: Dr. Ida Molavi 
Content reviewers: Dr. Najiha Farooqi and Dr. Caitlin
Moderators: Dr. Ida Molavi, Dr. Najiha Farooqi and Dr. Caitlin
Expert Guest: Dr. Joseph Cuschieri
Fellow Guests: Dr. Gerald Wang and Dr. Kirea Mazzolini 

Topics covered in this episode:

• Pathophysiology and Classification 
• Resuscitation from Circulatory Shock 
• Vasopressors and Inotropes 
• Septic Shock 
• Hemorrhagic Shock 
• Cardiogenic Shock