The Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists

It is an exciting time to pursue an anesthesiology fellowship in critical care medicine (CCM). As we emerge from COVID-19, there is a renewed energy for scientific investigations, making connections, and integrating wellness strategies to mitigate burnout. Technological advances in hemodynamic monitoring, the use of artificial intelligence or data analytics, and application of novel biomarkers are all captivating areas of investigation. Moreover, the integration of bedside point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) continues to grow and offers opportunities to be at the forefront of clinical care. If you’ve had a chance to attend recent regional or national anesthesiology or CCM meetings, you have likely noticed expanded opportunities to network and for mentorship at all stages of training. There has been a palpable energy around these connections and a desire to collaborate. It has been a real pleasure to connect with former colleagues, meet new friends and learn from a diverse collection of experts in the field.  

The goal of SOCCA is to offer numerous areas and opportunities for our members to engage and grow our Society, and our members have been very busy!

The strength of SOCCA is the wealth of talent and energy of its members. One of the ways to serve the Society is through volunteer activities. The SOCCA Nominations Committee annually evaluates nominees and develops an election ballot for available Officer and Director positions. This election cycle we will be electing our Secretary (2-year term) and two members for the Board of Directors (3-year term). Further details about the governance structure of SOCCA are described in our Society Bylaws.

Introduction:

Acute right ventricular failure (RVF) due to post-left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement is challenging to treat with the management often limited to placement of either surgical or percutaneous mechanical circulatory devices. The Protek Duo® (LivaNova) is a percutaneous right ventricular support device (RVAD), which due to its relative ease of placement, has been a breakthrough in the management of post-LVAD implantation acute RVF. ¹

Cardiac perforation from placement of a Protek Duo cannula is a rare but potentially lethal complication. This case is the first to describe a patient who developed cardiac tamponade from a Protek Duo cannula perforation of the right ventricle. The report discusses preoperative and intraoperative management of this condition and relevant transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) imaging that aided in the diagnosis and surgical repair of the perforation.

The transition between clinical training to independent practice is notoriously challenging. The goal of the SOCCA Early Career Intensivist (ECI) working group is to help support members through this progression. Founded in 2021, the ECI provides junior members with resources and content tailored to their concerns and interests. “The purpose of the group,” says Chair, Dr. Alisha Sachdev, “is to engage all SOCCA members in the first ten years of their careers with specific programming to meet their needs early on.”

Since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic, there has been exponential growth in the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) for severe cardiopulmonary disease.¹ The increased utilization of ECMO has allowed the management of more complex and severe diseases, pushing the boundaries of critical care medicine (CCM) as a specialty. However, this increase in ECMO use means that more intensivists are likely to encounter and care for patients with ECMO, necessitating the evolution and standardization of specialized training in this field.

Bedside point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) has become ubiquitous in the critical care arena and is an essential tool for intensivists. POCUS has been used extensively to diagnose various cardiovascular and respiratory pathologies in critically ill patients and is now an integral part of various diagnostic algorithms in the intensive care unit (ICU). Yet, despite the proliferation of various portable and handheld devices, POCUS during emergency airway management in critically ill patients has never taken off.

Dr. Teresa Mulaikal, MD, FASE, is a cardiothoracic and critical care anesthesiologist, practicing at Columbia University in New York. Tess Russell, MD, Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, is a Texas transplant to New York City.

Visit SOCCA’s Job Board

If you would like to post a job, please email a short description and/or PDF flyer including location, contact information, and closing date to SOCCA Society Director, Vivian Abalama, IOM, CAE at [email protected].

Interchange seeks to deliver timely, relevant, and high-quality content to SOCCA members. Contributions from members are not only welcome but essential to ensure that Interchange meets these goals. If you are interested in authoring content concerning clinical challenges, emerging research findings, member accomplishments, or anything of general interest to the membership, please reach out to [email protected].