35. Pulmonary Embolism Masterclass with Dr. Rich Channick

In this episode of Critical Care Time, Dr. Nick Mark and Dr. Cyrus Askin interview Dr. Rich Channick, an expert in pulmonary embolism (PE) management, to discuss interventions for treating pulmonary emboli when anticoagulation alone is insufficient. They delve into challenging questions such as when to use half-dose or quarter-dose lytics, and when to opt for interventional radiology (IR) or surgical management. Dr. Channick shares his insights on risk stratification, the use of RV/LV ratios from CT scans versus echocardiograms, and the importance of considering a patient's overall clinical picture rather than relying solely on cutoffs. The discussion includes case studies to illustrate different approaches to PE management, the role of ECMO, and the use of IVC filters. The episode also touches on the importance of multidisciplinary care through Pulmonary Embolism Response Teams (PERT) and ongoing clinical trials aimed at improving PE treatment strategies.