The “is that a thing podcast” is an emergency medicine and critical care podcast designed for health care professionals who want to bridge the gap between clinical practice and current evidence. The podcast aims to use the sharp knife of up-to-date evidence to dissect dogma and controversies in emergency medicine and critical care.The show is regularly hosted by emergency physicians Dr Anthony Hackett and Dr Hugh Hiller.
Dive deep into the history of medicine to explore the origins of penicillin and the development of cephalosporins. From the dank corners of Alexander Fleming's lab to the sewers of Sardinia we explore the history and controversy behind some of the most common antibiotics. We will also discuss whether or not penicillin allergy is real and if you can give a penicillin allergic patient a cephalosporin and still keep your license to practice medicine.
17 Nov 2022
Magnesium: Super molecule or super myth
This episode explores the history and use of magnesium in modern medicine from discovery to its modern applications. We examine the data regarding magnesium for everything from eclampsia, headache, asthma and even arrhythmia. Is magnesium a super drug or just voodoo?
10 Sept 2022
Aspirin: the worlds most used drug
This episode explores the fascinating history of aspirin and dives deep into the recent recommendations regarding not using aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiac disease. This is part one of a multi-part series on NSAIDS, drugs we use every day but take for granted the most.
7 Aug 2022
First trimester bleeding: Can we prevent first trimester miscarriage?
This episode dives deep into one of the more common issues in emergency medicine: first trimester bleeding. Traditionally, it has been a topic that both doctors and patients have felt helpless about but in this cast we review the physiology and reams of new evidence that can help us make outcomes better for these patients.
9 Jul 2022
Cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome
Disclaimer: Please excuse the audio quality of this episode, it’s a great talk we had some connection issues while recording this month due to distance and location of our hosts. This cast explores why and how cannabinoids cause hyperemesis and looks at why the prevalence of this syndrome has increased in clinical practice. We also explore what treatments actually work for these patients.
13 Jun 2022
Steroids in cardiac arrest
This episode examines the role of corticosteroids in cardiac arrest and in the post-arrest state. We look at literature from several well-known trials and examine whether or not steroids improve survival and neurologic outcomes.
6 May 2022
Mysteries and myths about fever in medicine
This episode explores fever from its physiology and function to common conceptions (or misconceptions?) about fever. We dive into how high of a fever is safe, when does a high fever mean serious illness, and do people really run hot (or cold)? We also use the evidence to answer whether or not vaccine-related fever is a thing and if teething and fever are actually related in children.
4 Apr 2022
Antibiotics in diverticulitis (?)
This episode explores whether some patients with diverticulitis can be treated without antibiotics and if so who are these patients. Additionally, when we chose an antibiotic for patients going home on them which one is best the old standard ciprofloxacin and Flagyl combination or augmentin?
24 Feb 2022
Is nitroglycerin still useful in modern medicine
This episode examines the history and development of nitroglycerin from volatile dynamite component to essential cardiac medication. We examine the use of nitroglycerin in historic and modern times and its relevance as a cardiac medication in the post-PCI era. We also dive deep into equivalent doses of nitro when given as a paste, drip, or tabs. Finally, we look at the effective dose of nitro in several different conditions and explore whether or not there's any mortality be...
22 Jan 2022
What is the optimal blood pressure in trauma...and should we ever use vasopressors in trauma?
This episode discussed two major concepts, the optimal blood pressure target for trauma patients and the use of vasopressors in trauma (WHAT!). We look at the use of permissive hypotension in trauma and discuss its applications and indications as well as its history. This of course is merely a prelude to our discussion of the use of pressors in trauma, which many of us know is true sacrilege... or is it? We examine the question through the lens of the AVERT-SHOCK trial and d...
23 Dec 2021
Roid rage! Corticosteroids in emergency medicine
Today we explore the nuances of corticosteroid use and indications in the emergency department with Dr. Kyle Mcatee. We delve into when steroids should be used and what the evidence behind steroids is in certain commonly encountered scenarios such as sore throat, anaphylaxis, and many others. We also answer what the appropriate dose of steroids is and whether or not all steroids are created equal.
27 Nov 2021
Choosing IV Size and Location for CT scans
This brief episode examines the right size and location for peripheral IV's for contrasted CT scanning in the emergent setting. We also explore whether External Jugular IV's, hand IV's and central lines can be used for CT imaging.
18 Oct 2021
Contrast Chronicles Part II: IV Contrast Allergy
This episode is part 2 in our contrast chronicles and tackles the mythical beast of iodine, shellfish, and contrast allergy. Join us as we explore the evidence behind contrast allergy, contrast mediated anaphylaxis and anaphylactoid reactions. We take a retro look back to the original papers from the 70’s and 80’s all the way through the present day. On this deep dive, we will also explore the efficacy of pretreatment for these reactions and the utility of this strategy in t...
20 Sept 2021
Does IV contrast cause kidney injury?
In this episode, we dissect the controversy surrounding contrast-induced nephropathy (CIN) and modern IV contrast dye. Dr. Thomas Ulmer joins us to look at the science and history of IV contrast and CIN. Turn down your lights, get out your collection of vintage CT scout films, and listen in as we discuss whether it's safe to scan that suspected dissection with a creatinine of 5 or in Hugh's case that mild gastroenteritis with a GFR of 35.
24 Aug 2021
Targeted temperature management for post-cardiac arrest patients in 2021
On this cast, we do a deep dive into the origins, history, and evidence behind targeted temperature management (TTM) with our special guest Dr. Thomas Riney. We discuss the key studies and debate the evidence on length of cooling and ideal temperature for post-cardiac arrest patients and whether or not TTM is a thing after the publication of the TTM2 trial this year.
29 Jul 2021
REBOA: Is it ready for primetime?
In this episode, we discuss the history and development of resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) and its application in civilian and military trauma. We explore the reasons behind the surge in REBOA research as well as the recent controversy associated with REBOA. We look at its application in the civilian and military realm and argue that in these settings where injury patterns may differ, REBOA may have different specific roles. In either case, ...
22 Jun 2021
Going Viral: Respiratory virus panels and their utility in febrile children
In this episode, we take a deep dive into the utility of respiratory viral panels. Are respiratory viral panels (RVP) a sure-fire way to find out what ails a febrile child? How accurate are these tests and what does it really mean if a febrile child has a positive RVP? Here we explore the diagnostic biases that these tests can create and discuss the evidence behind them and their place in the Emergency care setting.
22 May 2021
Intermediate risk pulmonary embolism treatment
This episode focuses on treatment options for intermediate-risk pulmonary emboli (PE). We define the intermediate-risk (or submassive )PE and controversies surrounding its detection including imaging and laboratory evaluation. Evidence suggests that it is not only the PE that makes it intermediate risk but also the kind of patient that we find the PE in. Most of our time in the episode we discuss therapies, specifically thrombolytics, and the evidence and controversy behind ...
23 Apr 2021
Calcium in major trauma and traumatic hemorrhage
This episode discusses the role of calcium in trauma patients and whether or not the lethal triad of trauma should be updated to the lethal diamond to include calcium.
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Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
28 ratings
Host of Is That a Thing??
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