Returning to the mic after a summer hiatus, Rachele recaps summer fun, garden woes, new collaborations and the joy of being in the room. Follow PrO2: Instagram Facebook Linked-In Website Newsletter Coupon Code for PrO2: ALLTHINGS15 (I do not receive commission just sharing a 15% off coupon code for a device that I believe in) Find me on: IG: @all_things_cardiopulm Threads: @all_things_cardiopulm Website: www.allthingscardiopulm.c...

One word. Legacy. When one looks back on their career they might question: did I do enough, did I make a difference, did I leave a legacy? There is no question in mind that Ken is a person that has left his mark on the respiratory muscle training world, with his passion for understanding and innovation to create the devices he needed to accomplish his goals, he has left us not only with a superior device to assess and train the respiratory muscles, but also a protocol to effective...

Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is a common finding in the acute care setting. So, the question is, are there any hard and fast rules surrounding orthostatic hypotension? Are there cut-offs for activity / exercise? The quick answer is: it’s complicated and it depends. It requires knowledge, experience and clinical judgement every step of the way. Each case, each patient may have different symptoms and different levels of blood pressure dropping at different points in time. One clear point ...

Happy 100th episode of Talking All Things Cardiopulm! My mission from day one was to bring Cardiopulm to the forefront of conversation, to give clinicians tools to use in their own practice and to help bridge the gap between research and the clinician. I created this podcast, because I felt like it needed to exist. I hope to continue going for as long as I can, to provide value and resources for you. If you want to support Talking All Things Cardiopulm, share an episode with a c...

Documentation continues to be one of the biggest frustrations across physical therapy. Despite the many changes in technology over the past 20 years, it can still feel time consuming and an overall arduous task. Shifting our perspective to an opportunity to showcase our clinical expertise and reasoning can be helpful. I like to look at documentation like an ESPN snapshot. Point out the highlights, the major turning points during the session, the gains, the losses and the why. Tell...

What makes an expert an expert? Is it their experience? Is it their knowledge? Is it their ability to teach/mentor? I can argue that it’s a compilation of all of the above. But do experts know everything? Is it even possible? I think the question is a set up for the most obvious answer. But maybe it’s not that obvious? A recent conversation spurred this discussion. Join me as tackle this question and take on a soap box or two I'm so excited to share this 3-day event hosted...

I love a good comeback story, and typically cheer for the underdog, but the Measles can go ahead and stay in the past. As cases continue to rise, it’s time to take a look at overall pathophysiology and transmission of this very contagious virus. Join me as we discuss yet another virus taking the U.S. by storm. At the time of this recording the data available was as of 2/28/25 with 164 cases of measles, 1 death and 20% hospitalization. 1 week later, as of 3/7/25 cases have increased to 2...

As the winter season comes to an end, we review 1 of the 4 major viruses that has been rampant this year. Though RSV is officially on the decline, it is still very present in our communities and hospitals. Join us as we discuss virus transmission and possible precautions, that you may say in your setting. Is it Droplet or is it Contact? That seems to be a question these days and there seems to be some unclear writing on the wall. So let’s break it down. &n...

Influenza cases and hospitalizations continue to be the leading respiratory disease nationwide this season. As of Jan 25, 2025, there have been 20 million illnesses, 250,000 hospitalizations, and 11,000 deaths (including 47 pediatric deaths). At the time of this recording Feb 6th, the CDC had not issued a weekly report in 2 weeks. I am happy to report that the CDC did release a weekly report on Feb 7th. Data continues to show an uptrend in Flu A. Join me as we discuss the different type...

We currently have a tuberculosis (TB) outbreak across the US and Kansas recently made national news in this regard. I’m here to break down the pathology of TB, and review the incidence to give some assurance, as well as, real concerns with this diagnosis. In this episode: Incidence of TB in the US over the last 5 years Current KC TB outbreak Active vs. Latent TB Signs and symptoms of TB Transmission of TB Airborne Precautions PT exam findings &nb...

What might seem like a simple task in the winter months could lead to devastation without the right education. What do we need to consider to keep our patients with heart disease safe? The concern lies in the compounding effect. The effect of cold weather on the cardiopulmonary system, age, comorbidities, and aerobic capacity all play a role in determining safety. Join me as we dive into HR response, MET levels, predictive equations, and much more. Want to sign up for a mentoring call...

As the temperature drops across the country it is important to understand the impact the cold air will have on the cardiopulmonary system. Similar to pipes in a house, the cold affects both the pipes in the lungs and body in the same way, constriction. Although these changes occur in healthy individuals, they have more profound impact on those with heart and lung conditions. Join me as we discuss these changes, and some tips to help combat them. Want to sign up for a mento...

Leaving the last day of 2024 with a little spice. Since most of this audience is PTs, PTAs and PT(A) students, I just want to remind us to value what we do. Stand up for your skill set, educate others on the benefits and continue to advocate! Want to sign up for a mentoring call with Dr. Burriesci? Sign up here: https://www.allthingscardiopulm.com/mentoring Interested in Jane? Jane, is an all-in-one practice management software with helpful features to power your practice. Head to ja...

Review of the literature brings us an article from Japan, evaluating diaphragm and chest wall excursion in four different positions in healthy adults. Dynamic MRI was utilized for excursion measurements throughout all four positions in quiet breathing. The initial hypothesis was disproved, allowing for deeper discussion of the effect of position on diaphragm movement. Join me today as we discuss the impact of patient positioning on the diaphragm and add another tool to the toolbox. Wan...

Have you seen the Nuss Bar Protocol? If not, this will prepare you if you ever do. This procedure is more common in the pediatric population but is a growing surgical option for patients in their 40th and 50th decade of life. Though considered a “minimally invasive technique,” it is quite an extensive procedure that navigates around multiple primary organs and has several considerations post-surgically. Join me as I discuss the evolution of the procedure and possible precautions y...

Tracheal Deviation, to the Left, to the Right, which way does it go? This is probably one of the most common questions that I get from students studying for the NPTE. As it often does, the answer comes down to pressures. Tune into this episode to learn ipsilateral vs. contralateral movement of the trachea. Want to sign up for a mentoring call with Dr. Burriesci? Sign up here: https://www.allthingscardiopulm.com/mentoring Interested in Jane? Jane, is an all-in-one practice management s...

It would be unfair of me to dismiss automatic blood pressure measurements as they are used in most settings, including the ICU. It’s important to understand their normal guestimate error range and when you should consider taking a manual BP. Similar to manual blood pressures, there are a number of steps you can take to help increase their accuracy. Instead of avoiding the inevitable, let’s empower the clinician to understand their equipment. Website to check for validated BP machines: ...

Want some tips to improve the accuracy of your blood pressure technique? I’ve got you covered. It all starts with a manual cuff, the obliteration technique and a few simple setup tips. Join me in this episode as we break down the step-by-step technique of improving accuracy with blood pressure measurements. In this episode: Set up considerations prior to taking BPImportance of cuff sizePositioning with BP measurementsHow to perform the obliteration technique Join my main newslett...

Respiratory muscle training is by far one of my favorite interventions and continues to show itself in research. Anytime RMT is added, you can hypothesize that your patient will improve in a number of different categories (gas exchange, respiratory strength, 6MWD, QOL scales, blood pressure, and the list continues). I honestly continue to be impressed by RMT. But in order to incorporate RMT, you have to have an assessment tool that can show you a true pre-post for respiratory muscle str...

In today’s episode, we break down 3 of the most common high-flow oxygen devices that you may see in the hospital setting: typical high-flow nasal cannula, venturi mask, and heated high-flow nasal cannula devices. Each device varies on the level of flow and FiO2 available, as well as, how the FiO2 is achieved. Each device also has pros and cons for choice of use. Join me today, as we discuss the difference between the more common high-flow oxygen devices available. Join my main n...