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Neuroscience
Concurrent

The Invisible Injury: Targeting Microvascular Dysfunction in Acute Brain Injury

Sunday, March 22, 2026
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM Central Time
Location: W184

Cerebral microcirculatory dysfunction is an underexplored contributor to secondary brain injury in acute neurologic conditions such as subarachnoid hemorrhage, intracerebral hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, and systemic critical illnesses such as sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome. This session will delve into emerging knowledge of microvascular disturbances as a central mechanism driving poor outcomes in these patients. Speakers will integrate cutting-edge research and clinical insights to discuss the importance of cerebral microcirculation in critical illness, innovative techniques to assess its function, and the role of biomarkers in characterizing these disturbances. Novel therapeutic strategies will be highlighted, with a focus on pharmacologic interventions and device-based approaches. Speakers will discuss the latest advancements in cerebral hemodynamics and microcirculation and their potential to transform patient outcomes, offering practical insights for both researchers and clinicians.

Learning Objectives:

  • Evaluate the role of cerebral microcirculatory dysfunction in promoting secondary brain injury in critical illnesses such as subarachnoid and intracerebral hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, sepsis, and acute respiratory distress syndrome
  • List emerging techniques, biomarkers, and invasive and noninvasive tools for assessing cerebral blood flow and microcirculation dysfunction in critically ill patients, emphasizing their feasibility and clinical application in the ICU
  • Analyze therapeutic approaches such as pharmacologic and device-based interventions for optimizing cerebral perfusion and mitigating secondary injury in patients with acute brain injury and systemic critical illness

Presentations:

  • 4:35 PM - 4:50 PM Central Time
    Decoding Microvascular Dysfunction: Early Insights and Targeted Therapies for Acute Brain Injury

    Vishank A. Shah (he/him/his) – Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

  • 4:50 PM - 5:05 PM Central Time
    How Do Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, and Pulse Pressure Shape Cerebral Microcirculation During ECMO?

    Sung-Min Cho, n/a

  • 5:05 PM - 5:20 PM Central Time
    Microvascular Breakdowns in Sepsis and ARDS: Therapeutic Innovations to Restore Cerebral Perfusion

    Tracey H. Fan, MD (she/her/hers) – University of Chicago