A Message From Haney
Welcome to the 130th edition
of ResusNation!
A Doctor Performed Surgery on Himself in Antarctica
On a chilling April day in 1961, Soviet doctor Leonid Rogozov found himself in a dire situation while stationed in Antarctica. Faced with a case of acute appendicitis and no other medical professionals around, he made the difficult decision to perform surgery on himself. With the help of two non-medical personnel to assist with instruments and a mirror, Rogozov used local anesthesia to operate on himself and successfully remove his appendix. His incredible act of courage and quick thinking in a life-threatening situation solidified his place in medical history as the most famous example of self-performed surgery.
Rogozov's story is a powerful testament to human resilience and the extraordinary lengths individuals will go to preserve life, even their own. His unprecedented operation, conducted under immense pressure and in an isolated, hostile environment, highlights the critical role of resourcefulness in medicine. The successful outcome not only saved his life but also provided a unique case study in surgical innovation under extreme duress. It stands as a reminder that sometimes, the most remarkable medical breakthroughs come from the most unlikely of circumstances.
Welcome to the 130th edition of ResusNation!
The 3 Things I Do After Every Code
For years, I've seen how emotionally and physically taxing a code can be, and it's something we often don't talk about. Everyone is quick to move on, but, what happens after the code is just as critical for the team's well-being as the event itself. That's why I've made it a practice to prioritize three things at the end of every resuscitation effort, regardless of the outcome. First, I always make a point to thank everyone involved—not just a quick "thanks" as I'm walking out, but a genuine expression of gratitude that acknowledges their specific contributions. It might seem small, but taking a moment to say, "Hey, Mary, thanks for those excellent compressions," or "Joe, your bagging was spot-on," can significantly boost morale and show your team you see their hard work.
The second crucial step is a quick debrief. A code is a team sport, and every single one is a learning opportunity. I always pull the team aside for a few minutes to talk about what went well and what we could do better next time. This process not only improves our future performance but also helps the team process the event. Finally, and most importantly, if the patient doesn't survive, I always call for a moment of silence. It's a simple, profound act that brings the team together to reflect on the human life that was lost. It’s a powerful reminder of why we do this work and helps us recenter our focus from the science of the code to the humanity of the patient. These three steps are an essential part of my practice, and I believe they are vital for any medical professional.
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🔥 ResusX:2025 Goes VIRTUAL🔥
You've heard the buzz about ResusX:2025 happening live in Philadelphia, and now, we're thrilled to announce what so many of you have been waiting for: virtual access to ResusX:2025 is officially LIVE!
Starting today you can join us from anywhere in the world to experience three intensive days designed to sharpen your skills and elevate your critical care practice. No travel required, just pure, unadulterated resuscitation mastery delivered straight to you!
This isn't just another online conference. ResusX:2025 is a dynamic, hybrid event packed with hands-on training, essential theory, and lively discussions. Our "rockstar" faculty, true legends in resuscitation, will deliver electrifying talks, spark spirited debates, and lead live demos with incredibly realistic simulations.
Choose Your Virtual Adventure:
Watch Live – Just $127 (Save big, usually $297!):
- Catch every moment live from Philadelphia.
- Chat with faculty and fellow attendees in real-time.
- Score some awesome prizes!
Live + Replay – Just $197 (Normally $427, huge savings!):
- Everything in the "Watch Live" package.
- Plus, get 30-day replay access to revisit all the content.
Lifetime Access + Swag + Summaries + CME/CEU – Just $247 (An incredible deal, usually $547!):
- Includes everything from the "Live + Replay" package.
- Lifetime access to all conference content – forever!
- Rock an official ResusX:2025 T-shirt.
- Downloadable lecture summaries for quick review.
- Earn 20.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ or CEU to boost your credentials.
You're going to watch the exact same incredible content as our in-person attendees, delivered right to your screen. We even offer special discounts for non-physicians, and you can submit your burning questions for our faculty to answer live!
Don't let this chance slip by to sharpen your skills and truly master resuscitation, all from the comfort of your home or office.
Are you ready to become a resuscitation legend? Click below to secure your virtual spot today before these early bird prices vanish!
Ketamine vs. Etomidate: Is There a Clear Winner for Emergency Intubation?
When rapid sequence intubation (RSI) happens, the choice of meds is crucial. Historically, doctors have debated whether to use etomidate, known for its stability, or ketamine, which can also maintain blood pressure. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to settle the debate by pooling data from multiple high-quality studies. The main finding is there is no difference in survival rates between the two drugs.
This research shows that both etomidate and ketamine are safe and effective for emergency intubation in critically ill patients. The study found no significant differences in patient survival after 28 days, the success of the first intubation attempt, or the risk of cardiac arrest. While some studies included in the review noted that patients who received ketamine had a higher incidence of low blood pressure after the procedure, the overall difference was not statistically significant.
Here's my Takeaways:
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Finding: A systematic review and meta-analysis of four randomized controlled trials found no statistically significant difference in 28-day mortality when comparing ketamine to etomidate for rapid sequence intubation.
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Practice Impact: Clinicians can safely use either ketamine or etomidate for emergency intubation in critically ill patients, as both medications are equally effective for this procedure.
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Population: The study focused on critically ill patients who required emergency intubation outside of the operating room, such as in the emergency department or intensive care unit.
- Limitation: There were a limited number of randomized controlled trials available for most of the outcomes studied, and the definition of "post-induction hypotension" was not standardized across all studies.
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Want to learn more? Read the full study "Efficacy of ketamine versus etomidate for rapid sequence intubation, among critically ill patients in terms of mortality and success rate: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials" by Anjishnujit Bandyopadhyay et al. in Journal Pre-proofs.
Watch the August's Videos Now!
If you're an All-Access Member, you're in for some great content this month. We have FIVE videos hand-picked by our staff that are high-yield and our most highly watched. We're featuring
- Kim on "Cricothyroidotomies & Emergency Airways"
- Marolini on "When Should We Neuro-Prognosticate"
- Hedayati on "Dual Defib Strategies"
- Goldstein on "The Agitated Patient"
- Haywood on "Vent Dyssynchronies"
Each month we bring you fresh new content from the best of the best in resuscitation. If you're an All-Access member, go watch these videos NOW! If you're not, then sign up here.
Are you a member of ResusNation? For less than a cup of coffee, you can get even more content from CriticalCareNow. Digital teaching sessions, podcasts, free video lectures, grand rounds, and so much more can be your today. Come watch on replay all the content that CriticalCareNow does live. Check out the membership options below and decide the right one for you.
Do you want even more resus content anytime you want? For less than a cup of coffee, you can get even more content from @CriticalCareNow. Digital teaching sessions, free video lectures, grand rounds, and so much more can be your today. Come watch on replay all the content that @CriticalCareNow does live.
Check out the membership options below and decide the right one for you.
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