Episode 7 Season 7: Seal Oxygen, ER Dogs and The Heart of Anesthesia with Dr. Ashley Gabrielsen

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From groundbreaking research on seal oxygen perception to heart-stopping surgical techniques, we explore medical frontiers that sound like science fiction but save lives daily with cardiothoracic anesthesiologist Dr. Ashley Gabrielsen.

• Gray seals can perceive blood oxygen levels rather than CO2, allowing them to adjust dive durations accordingly
• Therapy dogs in ERs significantly reduce pediatric anxiety – dropping scores almost twice as much as standard care alone

Then an amazing chat with Dr. G!

• During cardiac surgery, the heart can be completely stopped while a bypass machine takes over circulation
• In extreme procedures, patients can be cooled to 20°C and circulation stopped briefly – being "clinically dead" before resuscitation
• The brain lacks pain receptors, enabling awake brain surgeries where patients can play instruments during the procedure
• Modern anesthesia techniques allow joint replacements with minimal medication and same-day mobility

Dr. G's Instagram Handle @ashleesi306

https://www.instagram.com/ashleesi306/

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