The Learning Curve

Episode 26 - Lets Talk About ECMO featuring Dr. Hitesh Gidwani

Summary: What do you do when the vent is maxed, the pressors are climbing, and your usual resuscitation playbook is no longer enough? In this episode of The Learning Curve, Dr. Irtaza Asar sits down with ECMO expert Dr. Hitesh Gidwani to break down one of critical care’s most powerful rescue tools: ECMO. Together, they unpack when to start thinking about ECMO, how to tell the difference between VV and VA ECMO, and how to recognize the patient who may benefit before it is too late. Dr. Gidwani shares practical decision-making frameworks, common pitfalls to avoid, and lessons from over a decade of ECMO experience. From crashing patients to limb ischemia to the big-picture question of whether ECMO is truly the right bridge, this episode makes a complex topic feel practical, approachable, and clinically relevant. A must-listen for anyone who takes care of sick patients and wants to better understand what happens when conventional resuscitation isn’t enough.

TSN 5 - The Aortic Dissection Dilemma with Dr. Kenny Chang

Summary: In this TSN5 episode, Dr. Kenny Chang breaks down a practical, high-yield approach to recognizing aortic dissection in the ED. He walks through key bedside clues — sudden severe pain, pulse or perfusion deficits, and neurologic red flags — while emphasizing why this diagnosis can masquerade as ACS. Most importantly, he explains why pausing before anticoagulation or cath lab activation can be the decision that saves a life.

TSN 5 - Nec Fasc: Time Is Tissue with Dr. Irtaza Asar

Summary: “Just cellulitis” … until the patient crashes. Necrotizing soft tissue infections are rare, deadly, and EASY to miss early. In this episode of TSN5, we break down the red flags that should make you stop and think: Pain out of proportion Rapid progression Crepitus, bullae, skin changes The “sicker than they look” patient Because in nec fasc… time is tissue.

TSN 5 – Syncope Approach in the ED with Dr. Emily F.

Summary: In the emergency department, most syncope is benign—but the cases you miss can be life-threatening. In this TSN5 episode, Dr. Emily F. shares a simple framework to rapidly identify high-risk patients, grounded in core essentials like the ECG, glucose, and pregnancy test. Instead of relying on complex scoring systems, this practical approach helps clinicians confirm true syncope, recognize red flags using the ABCDE LEFT RIGHT rule, and stratify risk based on history and key findings. The result: faster, clearer decision-making—so you can confidently determine who needs further workup and who can be safely discharged.

TSN 5 - Move Fast, Think Smart: ED Efficiency with Dr. Gavin Rogers

When the ED gets chaotic, moving faster isn’t the answer—thinking better is. In this TSN5 episode, Dr. Gavin Rogers shows how structured prioritization, early critical actions, and clear communication can turn chaos into control. High-yield strategies to help you stay sharp, protect your cognitive bandwidth, and perform at your best under pressure.