ESICM Talk

Drug Clearance in RRT: What Are the Determinants?

How do you optimise drug dosing in a critically ill patient undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT)? Drug dosing during CRRT can be challenging, with multiple factors influencing drug clearance and exposure. In the latest ESICM Podcast, experienced clinical pharmacists explore the key determinants of drug clearance during CRRT, focusing on the interplay between the patient, the drug and the CRRT circuit. The discussion highlights how drug characteristics, such as volume of distribution, and CRRT-related factors can influence drug removal and dosing, and why a personalised approach is essential to optimise treatment in critically ill patients. Listen to the latest ESICM Podcast and discover what determines drug clearance during RRT.

2026 World Sepsis Day: From Awareness to Action

This year, ESICM is proud to mark World Sepsis Day with a special podcast, "From Awareness to Action," featuring ESICM President Jan De Waele in conversation with Krista Bracke, sepsis survivor and advocate behind the initiative Sepsis Stronger Together. Together, they discuss what survival really costs, where the gaps between evidence and practice remain, what the new 2026 SSC Guidelines mean for the bedside, and how the clinical and patient communities can work together to drive meaningful change — from education and workforce investment to European policy and national sepsis plans.

Heatstroke

Why should every ICU clinician be prepared to recognise heat stroke? In this podcast, we explore the importance of early recognition and treatment of heat stroke, from the emergency department to the ICU. Discover how rapid intervention can dramatically improve outcomes, with survival rates of up to 80% when treatment is initiated early. We also discuss the key clinical signs to look out for—including neurological symptoms such as ataxia—and the challenges of recognising multi-organ dysfunction and the overlap between heat stroke and sepsis. Listen to the podcast and discover the key messages every ICU clinician should know when managing this time-critical emergency.

Is the curtain falling on pre-hospital whole blood?

Whole blood has made a remarkable comeback in trauma care—but is it here to stay? In this thought-provoking podcast, leading experts unpack the latest evidence comparing whole blood with component therapy in the pre-hospital setting, challenge current practices, and explore what the future may hold. From military experience to civilian emergency care, discover how research is reshaping transfusion strategies and what it means for the care of critically injured patients. Do not miss this educational podcast; listen to our expert and learn from the best!

Switching from controlled to assisted ventilation: evidence, risks, and opportunities in AHRF?

What are the benefits of moving from controlled to assisted mechanical ventilation in patients with Acute Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure (AHRF)? In this podcast, experts discuss the physiological rationale behind this transition, the potential advantages for patient recovery, and the risks clinicians need to consider. Join us as we explore the latest evidence and practical approaches to optimising ventilatory support in critically ill patients.

Biomarkers in Severe Infections and Sepsis - Moving from Trials to the Bedside

Sepsis care is evolving fast. Are you keeping up? Don’t miss this podcast episode, where we explore the latest clinical trials reshaping antibiotic therapy for severe infections, from optimised treatment durations to precision-driven de-escalation strategies. What does this new evidence mean for your day-to-day decisions in the ICU? We then turn to one of the most exciting frontiers in intensive care: biomarkers, and how they are transforming the way clinicians diagnose, monitor, and guide therapy in sepsis. Tune in to gain key insights and practical knowledge to help you bring the science of today directly to the bedside.

Advanced Practice in Nursing and Allied Health Professionals

What does advanced practice really look like in the ICU? In this podcast episode, we are joined by two advanced intensive care practitioners who share their roles, career journeys, and impact within the multidisciplinary team. Through real-world perspectives, this episode highlights the growing influence of nursing and allied health professionals in intensive care and how their expertise enhances patient outcomes, collaboration, and innovation. Join us to discover how advanced practice professionals are shaping patient care and redefining teamwork in the ICU.

Unmet Needs in PICS: Are We Measuring What Matters?

What truly matters in recovery after critical illness? In this episode, we explore the unmet needs in Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) and question whether current approaches are capturing the outcomes that matter most to patients and families. Join us as we discuss the challenges of measuring physical, cognitive, and psychological recovery after ICU, the gaps that still exist in long-term follow-up, and how intensive care teams can move toward more patient-centred outcomes and meaningful recovery.

Redefining Precision Nutrition: Where Science Meets the patient’s bedside

In this episode of the educational podcast, we explore what precision nutrition truly means in intensive care. While the concept is widely discussed in research, many studies remain descriptive or rely mainly on adjusted data, raising important questions about their real clinical impact. Together with the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition, Prof. Kenneth B. Christopher, we examine how current research can move beyond theory and be translated into meaningful, practical approaches at the patient’s bedside.

Why does renal recovery from AKI matter to us intensivists?

Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) is a frequent complication in critically ill patients and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. However, the clinical relevance of AKI extends well beyond the acute episode. Renal recovery plays a crucial role in determining long-term patient outcomes, including the risk of chronic kidney disease, long-term dialysis dependence, and overall quality of life after ICU discharge. In this podcast, we explore why renal recovery from AKI is particularly important for intensivists. The discussion addresses different patterns of renal recovery, key factors influencing recovery in critically ill patients, and how ICU management strategies may impact kidney outcomes. Join experts Melanie Meersch and Celine Monard, and hosts Beatrice Brunoni and Thilo von Groote, as they share their perspectives and insights on this important topic in intensive care.

Kids visitations in the ICU. Ten recommendations for child-friendly visiting policies in critical care

Covert Consciousness

Prehabilitation in the ICU

Did you know that preparing patients before an ICU stay can lead to better recovery after? Prehabilitation programmes focus on strengthening physical, cognitive, and metabolic health before critical illness, ensuring a smoother rehabilitation journey post-discharge. Our NEXT colleagues dive into this crucial topic with expert guests, exploring how early intervention can transform patient outcomes. Tune in now and join the conversation!

Post ICU outcomes and follow up

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) refers to the prolonged impairment of physical, cognitive, and mental health that can occur after an intensive care stay. Its effects may last for over a decade after discharge. Our NEXT colleagues have explored this important topic in their podcast featuring Dr. Anne-Francoise Rousseau who addresses key questions and future strategies for managing PICS. Do not miss this opportunity —tune in now!

Dose Optimisation in the ICU: The Role of TDM and Model-Based Solutions

A randomised controlled trial of a nurse facilitator to promote communication for family members of critically ill patients

Admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) can be a challenging experience for patients and their families. Psychological burdens, including symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress, are among the most reported during the ICU stay. A recent study has been carried out as a joint project between France and the United States in which the experts have designed an intervention to improve outcomes for patients’ families. For this intervention, they evaluated the nurse facilitator to support, model and teach communication strategies that will help in securing care aligned with patients' goals at the ICU. To learn more about this intervention, we interviewed one of the main authors, Nancy Kentish Barnes. Listen to our podcast for deeper insights into this study!

European Society of Intensive Care Medicine guidelines on end of life and palliative care in the intensive care unit

The latest guidelines released from the European Society of Intensive Care Medicine (ESICM) are about end-of-life (EOL) and palliative care for critically ill adults! This comprehensive work, developed by an international, multi-disciplinary team of clinical experts, a methodologist, and patient and family representatives, is now accessible to all clinicians. We had the privilege of interviewing Prof. Kesecioglu, who led this remarkable project. Listen to this interview and explore the rationale and methodology behind the guidelines and hear the initial feedback following their release.

Fluid management and mechanical ventilation strategies

Mechanical ventilation (MV) can impair gas exchange, destabilise hemodynamics, and injure endothelial cells. Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy helps to restore hemodynamics and ensure adequate distal organ perfusion. However, the interplay between restrictive and liberal fluid strategies due to the complex physiological interaction between the heart and lungs may affect ventilation and risk organ damage in critically ill patients. Tune in to our next podcast and learn more about the fluids-MV interplay!

When and how vasopressors in Sepsis?

The early initiation of vasopressors, ideally within the first hour of diagnosing septic shock, is emerging as a preferred strategy. This approach offers a multimodal action with potential benefits, including reduced morbidity and mortality. Prompt vasopressor therapy is crucial for effective management in septic shock patients. To dive deeper into the timing and administration of vasopressors, join us for our next podcast! Michele Chew and Mathieu Jozwiak will guide us through the essentials—don’t miss it!

Respiratory support in acute exacerbation in COPD

Acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD) represent sudden and severe declines in airway function and respiratory symptoms in COPD patients. The clinical presentation of AECOPD is diverse, demanding a treatment approach tailored to disease severity—beginning with antibiotic therapy and, in critical cases, advancing to mechanical ventilation for respiratory support. Tune into our next podcast to learn more!