ESICM Talk

When deciding whether to admit a patient to the ICU, the question is not only what we can do, but what we ought to do. In this podcast, we explore the ethical complexities of ICU admission, balancing the potential benefits and burdens of intensive care, patient preferences, prognostic uncertainty, and the fair allocation of limited resources. Drawing on the concept of proportionality, we discuss how clinicians can navigate difficult decisions, manage disagreements, and ensure that the care provided is aligned with what matters most to each patient.These themes are explored in depth in a paper co-authored by our guests: Proportionality and the process of decision-making around ICU admission: A narrative review of the ethical complexities of navigating from “can” to “ought”.

What has changed in the 2025 ESICM guidelines on circulatory shock and haemodynamic monitoring, and what does it mean for clinical practice?In this podcast, our guest, Dr Antonio Messina, Chair of the CD Section, discusses the key updates in the new guidelines and explores practical approaches to assessing tissue perfusion and haemodynamic status, including the role of capillary refill time, peripheral perfusion, and combined biological and macrocirculatory parameters.The discussion also explores fluid responsiveness assessment and its role in guiding fluid therapy in patients with circulatory shock.These are just some of the topics discussed, with many more practical insights and recommendations from the 2025 guidelines explored throughout the podcast. Listen to the latest ESICM Podcast and discover what is new in the 2025 guidelines.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.