This lecture highlights the significance of effective communication between caregivers and patients in the ICU, especially when facing the challenge of communicating with intubated patients. The traditional tools like whiteboards and pen-and-paper are inadequate for overcoming the communication barriers caused by the endotracheal tube limiting patient vocalization. The presenter will explore the importance of this communication and introduce advanced solutions, including eye-tracking and speech-generating technology. The session will provide evidence on how these technologies have greatly enhanced communication with intubated patients.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, significant concerns arose regarding the generation and dispersion of aerosols that could potentially contain and spread this disease and others. These concerns altered respiratory care practice throughout the world. Many studies have been conducted evaluating the generation and spread of these "fugitive aerosols." This presentation will discuss the evidence of fugitive aerosol generation and dispersion during a variety of respiratory care procedures.

Ventilator associated pneumonia is a common and costly complication of intubation and mechanical ventilation. This presentation will review the important papers related to ventilator associated pneumonia over the last year.

The presentation will review the important papers on inhaled pulmonary vasodilators over the last calendar year.

The use of HFNC oxygen therapy is widespread among critically ill adults and children, yet the determination of optimal flow settings and their adjustments lacks consensus, leading to significant variations in clinical practices. Over the last two years, the presenter has spearheaded expert teams to review and analyze literature on the effects of flow settings during HFNC therapy for both adults and children. This lecture will examine the evidence on the impact of flow settings in HFNC therapy across these demographics and propose a potential method for identifying optimal flow settings based on existing research.

Permissive hypercapnia has long been considered benign or potentially beneficial. However, recent observational studies have raised concerns about its safety, suggesting it may be harmful. This session will delve into the debate surrounding permissive hypercapnia, examining both sides of the argument.

Inhaled nitric oxide (NO), a selective pulmonary vasodilator, is administered to newborns with hypoxemic respiratory failure and persistent pulmonary hypertension, as well as to critically ill adults with hypoxemic respiratory failure and postoperative cardiac patients. Its advantages include reducing intrapulmonary shunting, enhancing oxygenation, and alleviating right ventricle dysfunction. Furthermore, in vitro studies have demonstrated that nitric oxide possesses dose-dependent bactericidal and antiviral effects. This presentation will review the existing evidence on the efficacy of high dose inhaled NO as both an antibacterial and antiviral treatment.

The effectiveness and role of inhaled pulmonary vasodilators in treating ARDS have sparked considerable debate. While inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) is often the first choice, inhaled prostaglandins are gaining popularity for their cost-effectiveness and efficacy. This debate will critically examine which inhaled pulmonary vasodilator, if any, offers the greatest clinical benefit for critically ill patients.

The process of securing an airway, and particularly the act of intubating a patient, carries significant risks and consequences if not performed properly. Further, in air medical transport, there are marked limitations when it comes to personnel capable of safely completing this task. The peri-intubation period offers the practitioner and the patient significant challenges. If the patient is not properly pre-oxygenated, becomes hypoxic, or experiences cardiovascular collapse, the outcome can be fatal. This presentation will focus on the risks of the peri-intubation period, including volume status, shock index, and oxygenating the patient during this time to avoid what can lead to a sure sentinel event.

Pulse oximetry is ubiquitous in all aspects of the health system. Under most conditions the accuracy of pulse oximetry is considered sufficient for clinical decision making in intensive care and for determination of home oxygen therapy in chronic lung disease. The impact of skin pigment and SpO2 accuracy has been known for decades. The COVID pandemic brought these inaccuracies to light again and garnered attention from the lay press. There are a multitude of factors which will impact oximeter accuracy, including perfusion and anemia. Testing of oximeters is under revision to address these problems.

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This lecture offers an in-depth look at whether optimizing PEEP is necessary for patients undergoing ECMO. It focuses on considerations for lung protection tailored to ECMO-specific challenges.

Explore the sophisticated approach of adjusting PEEP in critical care through EIT. This session provides a deep dive into fine-tuning PEEP for tailored patient management and enhancing lung protection.

While the influence of PEEP on lung and respiratory mechanics is well-documented, its effects on respiratory muscles, particularly the diaphragm, are not as thoroughly explored. This presentation outlines recent discoveries regarding PEEP’s impact on diaphragm function and structure, emphasizing the possible mechanisms behind diaphragm muscle damage.