In this episode, Alex and Josephine sit down with their colleagues Iliya and Kaitlyn, who both matched to anesthesia at McMaster University, and Tariq, who matched to anesthesia at the University of Alberta, to reflect on their journeys to residency. From choosing electives to preparing for interviews, they share practical insights and honest reflections on the CaRMS process, including parallel planning and personal growth along the way.

Whether you’re gearing up for CaRMS or just curious about the path to anesthesia, this episode is full of thoughtful advice you won’t want to miss.

Disclaimer: The advice shared in this episode is based solely on personal experiences as medical students navigating CaRMS. We are not affiliated with, nor do we represent, the McMaster University residency admissions committee or any other residency program.

Support the show

In this Airwayve episode, we kick off our anesthetic emergencies season with a practical look at hypoxemia and hypoxia. We review the oxygen cascade, the A–a gradient, and how oxygen is transported in blood, then clarify the difference between hypoxemia and tissue hypoxia through the lens of oxygen delivery and consumption. We break down the five major causes of hypoxemia and share a stepwise approach to troubleshooting intraoperative desaturation, from patient assessment to circuit and monitor checks. A clinical case of a patient with COPD and obesity ties everything together, highlighting how physiology guides real time anesthetic management.

Credits

Writer: Iliya Khakban

Editors: Alexander Xiang

Resident Editor: Kesikan Jayaraj

Staff Reviewer: Dr. Muhammad Imran Khan

Support the show

Don’t hold your breath for this one. In this month’s episode, we take a deep dive into ventilation basics and walk through how normal respiratory physiology compares to positive-pressure ventilation in the OR. We break down core settings like FiO₂, tidal volume, respiratory rate, I:E ratio, and PEEP, then explore common ventilation modes and when you might choose each one. To round things out, we apply it all to a real case and talk through how to pick safe and sensible settings for a patient with COPD. This episode is packed with practical tips to help you feel more comfortable at the ventilator during your next anesthesia rotation.

Credits

Writer: Irene Zhao

Editors: Alexander Xiang

Resident Editor: Puru Panchal

Staff Reviewer: Dr. Overington

Support the show