In this episode of the NCS Podcast Perspectives series, Nicholas Morris, MD, is joined by Eelco Wijdicks, MD, PhD, professor of neurology at Mayo Clinic and chair of the Division of Critical Care Neurology. A pioneer of neurocritical care, Dr. Wijdicks reflects on training in Rotterdam, fellowship at Mass General under Allan H. Ropper, MD, and the creation of Mayo Clinic’s neuro ICU in the 1990s. Wijdicks shares the story behind the FOUR Score Coma Scale and lessons from subarachnoid hemorrhage, hyponatremia and cerebral salt wasting, including how early fluid-restriction practices shaped outcomes. The conversation also explores building a new specialty, the role of neurologists in the ICU, the history of medicine and “neuro cinema,” as well as compassion fatigue and the future of global neurocritical care. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of the NCS Podcast Hot Topics series, host Dr. Nicholas Morris speaks with Dr. Wendy Ziai, professor of neurology at Johns Hopkins and senior editor for Neurocritical Care, and Dr. Richard Choi, neurointensivist at MedStar Franklin Square and social media editor for the journal. This episode also introduces Dr. Richard Choi as the new host of the NCS Podcast Hot Topics series, which will continue to feature high-impact articles from Neurocritical Care. They discuss a new study, Postoperative Monitoring After Elective Intracranial Surgery in a Postanesthesia Care Unit is Safe, Efficient and Cost-Effective, by Arthur Wagner and colleagues in Munich, Germany. The conversation examines the 10-year experience with more than 5,500 patients, complication rates and how PACU-based pathways may ease ICU demand while supporting safe outcomes. Dr. Ziai and Dr. Choi also share perspectives on ICU capacity and the importance of collaboration across departments, showing how this research connects to real-world practice. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of the NCS Podcast Currents series, host Lauren Koffman, DO, MS, speaks with Camilo Espinosa-Jovel, MD, and Clio Rubinos, MD, MS, FACNS, about their recent Currents article on the Seizure Code strategy. They share how their collaboration began across continents, the origins of the seizure code and the importance of recognizing and treating urgent epileptic seizures before they progress. The discussion covers barriers faced in lower-resource settings, the steps involved in creating and implementing a protocol and the measurable improvements in treatment times and patient outcomes. They also reflect on how similar approaches could be adapted within U.S. hospitals to improve care for patients with seizures. To read the full article, visit Currents: Seizure Code Strategy: Improving Treatment Times and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Urgent Epileptic Seizures The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of the NCS Podcast Currents series, host Lauren Koffman, DO, MS, speaks with Swarna Rajagopalan, MD, MS, associate professor of neurology Cooper University Health Care about her recent co-authored Currents article on the role of ultrasound guidance in performing lumbar punctures in the neuroscience ICU. They discuss the limitations of the landmark-based technique, when ultrasound can improve safety and accuracy, and how point-of-care training supports providers. Dr. Rajagopalan also describes why neurointensivists should consider increasing their use of ultrasound in daily practice outside of traditional critical care procedures. To read the full article, visit Currents: The Role of Ultrasound Guided Lumbar Puncture in the Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit: A Review and Case Presentation The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of the NCS Podcast Perspectives series, Nicholas Morris, MD, is joined by Chere Chase-Gregory, MD, MHS, senior vice president and chief health equity officer at Novant Health and a practicing neurointensivist. Dr. Chase-Gregory, also an adjunct faculty member at the University of North Carolina and founding member of the Women in Neurocritical Care Committee, shares her path into leadership, the origins of the committee and her ongoing work to advance health equity, mentorship and community partnerships. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of the NCS Podcast Masterclass series, hosts Jon Rosenberg, MD, and Stephan A. Mayer, MD, FCCM, FNCS, are joined by Carolina B. Maciel, MD, MSCR, and Katharina Busl, MD, MS, professors of neurology at the University of Florida. They explore the evolution of opioid-sparing pain management strategies in patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage and acute brain injury. The conversation highlights Dr. Maciel and Dr. Busl’s work with sphenopalatine ganglion nerve blocks and the design of a phase 2 clinical trial investigating this novel technique. The guests also discuss the limitations of traditional analgesic options, the complexities of headache mechanisms in neurocritical care and how targeted interventions may improve outcomes and quality of life for patients in the neuro ICU. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of the NCS Podcast Currents series, host Lauren Koffman, DO, MS, speaks with Tara Wall and her husband, Ron, whose journey through cardiac arrest and recovery offers a deeply personal look at the realities of critical illness, caregiving and hope. Tara, a former NICU nurse, recounts the terrifying moment her husband collapsed at home and the life-saving measures she took, while Ron shares his fragmented but remarkable memories from the event and his long road back to health. Together, they reflect on the emotional weight of medical decision making, the importance of support from health care teams and how connection, care and determination can shape recovery. Read the accompanying article: Part 1: Story of Hope – Life After Cardiac Arrest The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of the NCS Podcast Perspective series, Nicholas Morris, MD, is joined by Immediate Past-President of NCS, Paul Vespa, MD, a professor of neurology and neurosurgery at UCLA. Dr. Vespa shares his path into neurocritical care, as well as his views on the growth of neuro ICUs and advances in continuous EEG monitoring and microdialysis. He discusses the future of AI in EEG, the value of patient stories and the importance of clinician-investigators, mentorship, and teamwork. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of the NCS Podcast Masterclass series, Stephan Mayer, MD, FCCM, FNCS, and Jon Rosenberg, MD, welcome renowned neurointensivist Chiara Robba, MD, Ph.D., to discuss the concept of brain protective ventilation. Drawing from her experience across both pulmonary and neurocritical care, Dr. Robba explores the physiological nuance of ventilating patients with brain injury, including how to balance positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP), tidal volume and CO₂ levels to protect both lung and brain. The trio also dives into findings from the VENTIBRAIN study and practical strategies for tailoring care using multimodal monitoring. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of the NCS Podcast Currents series, host Lauren Koffman, DO, MS, speaks with Clio Rubinos, MD, MS, and Rommel Morel, MD, about the urgent need to improve pre-hospital neurocritical care in low- and middle-income countries. They explore disparities in emergency response, the reality of patients arriving via family or bystanders and community-driven solutions like Colombia’s Bootstrap consensus and Uganda’s MOTOR trial. The conversation highlights how global collaboration, data-driven strategies and shared passion are essential to improving outcomes and reducing inequities in neurocritical care. Read the accompanying article:Traumatic Brain Injury in a Resource-Limited Setting: A Reflection on the Importance of Timely Interventions in Neurocritical Care Have questions or interested in collaborating?Contact the authors directly: crubinos@unc.edu rommellmorel121@gmail.com The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of Perspectives, Dr. Nicholas Morris is joined by neurocritical care fellows Dr. Diana Alsbrook, Dr. Sonja Darwish and Dr. Scott Sparks to discuss the future of the field. They share insights on choosing a fellowship, the challenges of training and what it takes to become a well-rounded neurointensivist. From clinical autonomy and mentorship to wellness and preparing for life after fellowship, this conversation provides valuable perspectives for both aspiring fellows and experienced practitioners. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of the NCS Podcast Currents series, host Lauren Koffman, DO, welcomes Ray and his wife, Kathleen, who authored a recent Currents "Stories of Hope" feature. Ray shares his journey of recovery after sustaining a traumatic brain injury in an accident while traveling in Aruba. Kathleen offers her perspective on navigating medical care abroad, the challenges of intensive rehabilitation and the resilience that carried them forward. Tune in to hear their inspiring story of determination, love and recovery. You can read Ray’s story in Currents at Part 1: Ray’s Story of Hope. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of the NCS Podcast Hot Topic Series, host Dr. Nicholas Morris speaks with Dr. Fabio Taccone about the recently published TRAIN randomized clinical trial. The study compares restrictive versus liberal transfusion strategies in patients with acute brain injury, shedding new light on hemoglobin targets, neurological outcomes and transfusion-related risks. Dr. Taccone, a leading researcher in neuroprotection, breaks down the findings, their implications for clinical practice and how they compare to other major trials in the field. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of Hot Topics, Dr. Nicholas Morris interviews Dr. David Greer, a leading expert in brain death determination, to discuss the Neurocritical Care Society's new in-person brain death determination course. Dr. Greer highlights the importance of standardized protocols and training, the global success of the online course and the advantages of hands-on learning with mannequins and expert supervision. They also explore common errors in brain death exams and the need for rigorous certification to ensure accuracy and consistency in clinical practice. Learn more and register for the in-person Brain Death Determination Course here. Tune in to discover how this course is revolutionizing brain death determination worldwide. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of Perspectives, Dr. Nicholas Morris talks with Diane McLaughlin, FNCS, about her journey into neurocritical care and the vital role of postgraduate training for APPs. She highlights the importance of ultrasound, sharing how she developed her skills and discusses strategies for staff retention and career growth. She also reflects on advancements in stroke treatment and the benefits of professional society involvement. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of Hot Topics, Dr. Nicholas Morris interviews Claire Dahyot-Fizelier, M.D, Ph.D., a professor of anesthesia and intensive care at the University of Poitiers, to explore the groundbreaking PROPHY-VAP trial published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. This landmark study investigates the impact of single-dose ceftriaxone prophylaxis on ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in acute brain injury patients. Dr. Dahyot-Fizelier discusses the rationale behind the study, key findings and the broader implications for ICU practices. Tune in to discover how this trial could reshape approaches to infection prevention and improve patient outcomes in neurocritical care. Show notes: https://doi.org/10.1016/S2213-2600(23)00471-X Dahyot-Fizelier C, Lasocki S, Kerforne T, Perrigault PF, Geeraerts T, Asehnoune K, Cinotti R, Launey Y, Cottenceau V, Laffon M, Gaillard T, Boisson M, Aleyrat C, Frasca D, Mimoz O, on behalf of the PROPHY-VAP Study Group and the ATLANREA Study Group. Ceftriaxone to prevent early ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients with acute brain injury: a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, assessor-masked superiority trial. The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. 2024 May 1;12(5):375-85. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this episode of Hot Topics, Dr. Nicholas Morris interviews Dr. Giuseppe Citerio, professor of anesthesia and intensive care at Milano-Bicocca University, about the ORANGE study, which investigated the neurological pupil index (NPI) for prognosticating outcomes in patients with acute brain injury. The study, involving 13 centers in Europe and North America, found that repeat abnormal NPI values, including zero, were predictors of poor outcomes. The study collected data every four hours for seven days and used a sophisticated statistical model to account for longitudinal changes. Despite initial expectations, the study did not find a strong correlation between the NPI and ICP, suggesting NPI should not be used as a surrogate for ICP. Future research may focus on developing a standardized response to low NPI values. Show Notes: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(23)00271-5 Oddo M, Taccone FS, Petrosino M, Badenes R, Blandino-Ortiz A, Bouzat P, Caricato A, Chesnut RM, Feyling AC, Ben-Hamouda N, Hemphill JC. The Neurological Pupil index for outcome prognostication in people with acute brain injury (ORANGE): a prospective, observational, multicentre cohort study. The Lancet Neurology. 2023 Oct 1;22(10):925-33. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
On September 2022, Cameron Kuklick fell from a motorized rental scooter while returning to his hotel after celebrating his brother’s wedding in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Cameron experienced a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) at the age of 30. Cameron and his family hope that by sharing their story and experiences, they too can provide hope and healing for others. In this week’s episode, Cameron joins Dr. Lauren Koffman and Dea Mahanes, DNP, APRN, CCNS, HEC-C, FNCS, who was on Cameron's care team, to discuss his Story of Hope. You can read Cameron's story in Currents at https://currents.neurocriticalcare.org/Stories-of-Hope/Article/unbroken-stride-camerons-story-of-hope-overcoming-brain-injury-to-cross-the-finish-line. The views expressed on the NCS Podcast are solely those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official positions of the Neurocritical Care Society.
In this week's episode of Perspectives, Dr Nicholas Morris is joined by NCS Past President, Dr Gretchen Brophy, Professor of Pharmacotherapy & Outcomes Sciences and Neurosurgery with Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Pharmacy, Medical College of Virginia Campus, in Richmond.
Electroencephalography (EEG) is an important and relatively inexpensive tool that allows intensivists to monitor cerebral activity of critically ill patients in real time. Seizure detection in patients with and without acute brain injury is the primary reason to obtain an EEG in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU); and in response to the increased demand for EEG, advances in quantitative EEG (qEEG) created an approach to review large amounts of data instantly. Today, rapid response EEG is now available to reduce the time to detect electrographic seizures in limited-resource settings. In this week's MasterClass, our hosts Dr Jon Rosenberg and Dr Stephan Mayer are joined by Dr Lawerence Hirsch, Co-Director of the Critical Care EEG Monitoring Program at Yale School of Medicine to discuss the evolution, value, and impact of brain monitoring with EEG in the critically ill.