Vital Flow

Deep dive into aspiration

This episode takes a deeper dive into CKD physiology

In the final part of our i-STAT series, we dive into the electrolytes you manage constantly in the OR — sodium, potassium, calcium — and glucose as well. We break down what each value represents, how to spot dangerous abnormalities quickly, and what intraoperative factors drive these changes, from fluid shifts and medications to massive transfusion and critical illness. You’ll learn the real-world implications of electrolyte and glucose derangements on hemodynamics, arrhythmia risk, neuromuscular function, and overall anesthetic management. This episode gives you a fast, practical framework for interpreting these values and making safe, confident decisions in the perioperative setting.

In this episode, we break down how to interpret hemoglobin and hematocrit on the i-STAT and why these numbers matter for oxygen delivery and volume status. We review the most common causes of low and high H/H in the OR — from anemia, blood loss, and hemodilution to dehydration, chronic hypoxia, and polycythemia — and explain how fluids, chronic disease, and acute bleeding change these values in real time. We also cover when to use each blood product, how anticoagulant reversal works, and why H/H must always be interpreted in clinical context. This wraps up part two of our i-STAT series — next up: electrolytes.

In Part One of this I-STAT Analysis series, we break down the foundations you must understand to interpret arterial blood gases with confidence. From pH, PaCO₂, and HCO₃⁻ basics to the physiology behind respiratory vs. metabolic disturbances, this episode lays the groundwork for fast, accurate bedside decision-making. Whether you’re an SRNA, CRNA, or anyone preparing for clinical practice, this is your step-by-step primer for reading ABGs like a pro.

Bronchospasm is one of those moments that makes new providers freeze. In this episode, I walk through what’s actually happening physiologically, who’s at risk, the capnography “shark-fin” recognition, a step-by-step treatment algorithm you can say out loud, and the meds that matter (β₂ agonists, epinephrine, steroids, ipratropium, magnesium), plus heliox, Poiseuille, and peds considerations. Clean. Organized. Ready for the OR.