WhiteBoard Medicine - Emergency And Critical Care

#268 Frank Starling Curve and Cardiac Output - Cardiac Physiology Masterclass

The Frank-Starling curve is one of the most important concepts in cardiac physiology—and one of the most clinically useful in critical care.
In this episode, we break down the Frank-Starling relationship and connect it directly to cardiac output, so you can understand how preload affects stroke volume and how this translates to real bedside decision-making.
We cover:
What the Frank-Starling curve represents
How preload affects stroke volume and cardiac output
The relationship between venous return, ventricular stretch, and contractility
How to identify the steep vs plateau portions of the curve
What fluid responsiveness actually means
Clinical applications in shock, heart failure, and critical illness
Whether you’re managing hypotension, shock, or complex hemodynamics, this episode provides a clear framework to understand preload responsiveness and optimize perfusion in real time.
🎥 Watch the full video version here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEWGl7OGKaM
📚 Download the full study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• Study guides for every video• Mini-courses (ventilation, shock, RRT & more)• Practice questions• Ad-free videos• A structured ICU curriculum
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical decisions should be made by licensed healthcare professionals using their clinical judgment, institutional protocols, and current evidence. Whiteboard Medicine assumes no responsibility for clinical outcomes.

#267 AutoPEEP and I:E Ratio Explained - Mastering Mechanical Ventilation

AutoPEEP is one of the most important—and most commonly missed—problems in mechanically ventilated patients.
In this episode, we break down AutoPEEP and the I:E ratio in a clear, practical way so you can understand how they impact ventilation, gas exchange, and patient outcomes in the ICU and emergency department.
We cover:
What AutoPEEP is and why it occurs
How the I:E ratio contributes to breath stacking
The relationship between expiratory time, airflow, and trapped gas
How to recognize AutoPEEP on ventilator waveforms
How to adjust the I:E ratio to prevent and treat AutoPEEP
Clinical scenarios including COPD, asthma, and ARDS
Whether you’re managing obstructive lung disease or troubleshooting a ventilated patient with rising pressures, this episode gives you a practical framework to recognize and fix AutoPEEP at the bedside.
🎥 Watch the full video version here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5npK_gDbw5g
📚 Download the full study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• Study guides for every video• Mini-courses (ventilation, shock, RRT & more)• Practice questions• Ad-free videos• A structured ICU curriculum
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical decisions should be made by licensed healthcare professionals using their clinical judgment, institutional protocols, and current evidence. Whiteboard Medicine assumes no responsibility for clinical outcomes.

#266 Volume Control vs Pressure Control - Settings, Scalars, and Clinical Application Explained

Volume control or pressure control—how do you actually choose the right ventilator mode in real clinical practice?
In this episode, we break down volume control and pressure control ventilation step-by-step, focusing on settings, scalars, and how to apply both modes at the bedside in the ICU and emergency department.
We cover:
What you set vs what is guaranteed in volume vs pressure control
Key ventilator settings including tidal volume, inspiratory pressure, flow, and PEEP
How to interpret scalars and waveforms in each mode
How compliance and resistance affect pressure and volume delivery
Clinical scenarios where volume control or pressure control is preferred
Common pitfalls in ventilator management
Whether you’re managing ARDS, COPD, asthma, or undifferentiated respiratory failure, this episode gives you a practical framework to choose the right mode and interpret what the ventilator is telling you in real time.
🎥 Watch the full video version here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qWAWN1Hy49U
📚 Download the full study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• Study guides for every video• Mini-courses (ventilation, shock, RRT & more)• Practice questions• Ad-free videos• A structured ICU curriculum
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical decisions should be made by licensed healthcare professionals using their clinical judgment, institutional protocols, and current evidence. Whiteboard Medicine assumes no responsibility for clinical outcomes.

#265 West Zones of the Lung Explained - Perfusion, Ventilation & Clinical Significance

West zones of the lung are fundamental to understanding how ventilation and perfusion interact in both normal physiology and critical illness.
In this episode, we break down the West zones (Zone 1, Zone 2, and Zone 3) in a simple, clinically relevant way so you can understand how blood flow is distributed throughout the lung—and why it matters at the bedside.
We cover:
The physiology behind the West zones of the lung
How alveolar, arterial, and venous pressures interact
Differences between Zone 1, Zone 2, and Zone 3
How position, ventilation, and hemodynamics affect perfusion
Clinical implications in mechanical ventilation, shock, and critical care
Common pitfalls and misconceptions
Whether you’re managing ventilated patients, evaluating hypoxemia, or thinking through V/Q mismatch, this episode provides a clear framework to apply lung physiology in real clinical scenarios.
🎥 Watch the full video version here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AN91NR1UrCQ
📚 Download the full study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• Study guides for every video• Mini-courses (ventilation, shock, RRT & more)• Practice questions• Ad-free videos• A structured ICU curriculum
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical decisions should be made by licensed healthcare professionals using their clinical judgment, institutional protocols, and current evidence. Whiteboard Medicine assumes no responsibility for clinical outcomes.

#264 ABG, VBG, and Comparison Explained: Complete Breakdown + Clinical Comparison

Arterial blood gas (ABG) or venous blood gas (VBG)—what’s the difference, and when should you actually use each?
In this episode, we walk through a complete breakdown of ABG and VBG, followed by a direct clinical comparison so you can confidently decide which test to use at the bedside.
We cover:
What an ABG measures and how to interpret it
What a VBG tells you and how it differs
Key differences in pH, CO₂, lactate, and oxygenation
The accuracy and limitations of VBG compared to ABG
When a VBG is sufficient—and when an ABG is essential
Common pitfalls in blood gas interpretation
Whether you’re evaluating respiratory failure, metabolic disturbances, or critically ill patients, this episode provides a clear, practical framework for blood gas interpretation in emergency and critical care.
🎥 Watch the full video version here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wzu4zi19jI
📚 Download the full study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• Study guides for every video• Mini-courses (ventilation, shock, RRT & more)• Practice questions• Ad-free videos• A structured ICU curriculum
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical decisions should be made by licensed healthcare professionals using their clinical judgment, institutional protocols, and current evidence. Whiteboard Medicine assumes no responsibility for clinical outcomes.

#263 Cardiac Output Explained: From Physiology to Cardiogenic Shock Diagnosis & Management

Cardiac output is one of the most important—and most misunderstood—concepts in critical care.
In this episode, we break down cardiac output from first principles and connect it directly to cardiogenic shock, so you can understand not just the numbers—but how to apply them at the bedside.
We cover:
The cardiac output equation (CO = HR × SV) and what it actually means
How preload, contractility, and afterload determine stroke volume
The Frank-Starling relationship and fluid responsiveness
The Fick equation and how cardiac output can be measured
How cardiac output fails in cardiogenic shock
Practical approaches to diagnosis and management in the ICU and ED
Whether you’re managing hypotension, shock, or complex hemodynamics, this episode gives you a clear physiologic framework to guide real-time clinical decision-making.
🎥 Watch the full video version here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtxfjPTOIRc
📚 Download the full study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• Study guides for every video• Mini-courses (ventilation, shock, RRT & more)• Practice questions• Ad-free videos• A structured ICU curriculum
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical decisions should be made by licensed healthcare professionals using their clinical judgment, institutional protocols, and current evidence. Whiteboard Medicine assumes no responsibility for clinical outcomes.

#262 Mechanical Ventilation Basics - I:E Ratio Made Simple for ICU & Emergency Care

The I:E ratio is one of the most important—and most misunderstood—settings in mechanical ventilation.
In this episode, we break down the inspiratory-to-expiratory (I:E) ratio in a simple, practical way so you can understand how it impacts ventilation, gas exchange, and patient outcomes in the ICU and emergency department.
We cover:
What the I:E ratio actually represents
How it affects airflow, CO₂ clearance, and oxygenation
Why improper settings can lead to breath stacking and autoPEEP
How to adjust the I:E ratio in obstructive vs restrictive lung disease
Practical bedside applications in mechanically ventilated patients
Whether you’re managing a patient with COPD, asthma, ARDS, or undifferentiated respiratory failure, this episode gives you a clear framework to understand and apply the I:E ratio in real clinical scenarios.
🎥 Watch the full video version here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oahcjS3LWZE
📚 Download the full study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• Study guides for every video• Mini-courses (ventilation, shock, RRT & more)• Practice questions• Ad-free videos• A structured ICU curriculum
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical decisions should be made by licensed healthcare professionals using their clinical judgment, institutional protocols, and current evidence. Whiteboard Medicine assumes no responsibility for clinical outcomes.

#261 ABG vs VBG Explained: Key Differences, Accuracy, and When to Use Each (Critical Care Guide)

Arterial blood gas (ABG) or venous blood gas (VBG)—which should you actually use in clinical practice?
In this episode, we break down the key differences between ABG and VBG in a clear, practical way so you can understand when each test is appropriate in emergency and critical care settings. While ABGs are often considered the gold standard, VBGs can provide clinically useful information in many situations—with less risk and greater ease.
We cover:
What ABGs measure and how to interpret them
What VBGs tell you and how they differ
Key differences in pH, CO₂, lactate, and oxygenation
The accuracy and limitations of VBG compared to ABG
When a VBG is sufficient—and when an ABG is essential
Common pitfalls in blood gas interpretation
This is a high-yield, bedside-focused discussion designed for medical students, residents, nurses, respiratory therapists, and physicians in emergency medicine and critical care.
🎥 Watch the full video version here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl5gQZL_eP8
📚 Download the full study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• Study guides for every video• Mini-courses (ventilation, shock, RRT & more)• Practice questions• Ad-free videos• A structured ICU curriculum
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Clinical decisions should be made by licensed healthcare professionals using their clinical judgment, institutional protocols, and current evidence. Whiteboard Medicine assumes no responsibility for clinical outcomes.

#260 First Month in the ICU | Mechanical Ventilation Made Simple (Full Crash Course)

In this episode, we break down mechanical ventilation from start to finish—designed specifically for your first week in the ICU.
Mechanical ventilation can feel overwhelming early on, with multiple settings, modes, alarms, and physiologic concepts all happening at once. In this episode, we walk through a structured, bedside-relevant framework to help you understand what actually matters when managing ventilated patients.
We cover:• Core mechanical ventilation principles and physiology• Ventilator modes and how to approach them clinically• Common ventilator alarms and troubleshooting strategies• Peak vs plateau pressure and ventilator interpretation• Spontaneous breathing trials and ventilator liberation• How to present a ventilated patient clearly and confidently on rounds
This episode is built around a simple, high-yield framework:setup → interpret → troubleshoot → liberate → present
Whether you're a medical student, resident, nurse, respiratory therapist, or practicing clinician, this serves as a complete crash course in ICU mechanical ventilation.
Chapters:
0:00 - 26:47 - FiO2, PEEP, RR, TV, inspiratory pressure
26:48 - 41:01 - Ventilator Modes, Alarms, Troubleshooting
41:02 - 1:03:18 - Peak and Plateau Pressures
1:03:19 - 1:27:53 - RSBI, Spontaneous Breathing Trials, T Piece, Liberation
1:27:54 - 1:46:19 - How to Present Mechanical Ventilation on Rounds
🎥 Watch the full video version here:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vpsp2XHb4S0
🔗 Download the full study guide + access our complete emergency critical care curriculum:https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Our Patreon includes:• 📄 Study guides for every video• 🎓 Mini-courses (ventilation, shock, RRT & more)• ❓ Practice questions• 🚫 Ad-free videos• 🧠 A structured ICU curriculum
⚠️ Disclaimer:This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace clinical judgment, professional training, or institutional protocols. Always use clinical context and consult appropriate guidelines when making patient care decisions.

#259 Respiratory Failure Types 1–4 Explained | Hypoxemic vs Hypercapnic Made Simple

Respiratory failure is one of the most common and high-stakes problems in emergency and critical care medicine — but understanding the different types can be confusing.
In this episode, we break down Type 1–4 respiratory failure into a simple, structured framework you can actually use at the bedside. We focus on the key distinction between hypoxemic vs hypercapnic respiratory failure, how to interpret ABGs, and how to recognize the underlying physiology driving each type.
Whether you're a medical student, resident, nurse, respiratory therapist, or practicing clinician, this episode is designed to help you move beyond memorization and build a practical, bedside approach to respiratory failure.
We cover:• Type 1 respiratory failure (hypoxemic) — causes and physiology• Type 2 respiratory failure (hypercapnic) — ventilation failure and CO₂ retention• Type 3 respiratory failure — perioperative atelectasis and reduced lung volumes• Type 4 respiratory failure — shock-related respiratory failure• ABG interpretation and how to differentiate respiratory failure types• Common ICU and ED causes including ARDS, COPD, pulmonary edema, and neuromuscular disease• A structured framework for bedside recognition and management
📺 Watch the full video version here:👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tZNINGVFkE
📚 Master emergency critical care with our full curriculum, study guides, and practice questions:👉 https://www.patreon.com/c/WhiteBoardMedicine
Study guides • Mini-courses • Practice questions • Structured ICU curriculum • Ad-free videos
⚠️ Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Clinical decisions should always be made based on individual patient circumstances and in accordance with current guidelines and institutional protocols.