ESICM Courses

Mastering the Brain in Critical Conditions

Last updated : 22/04/2025 - 1964 views

Format: Online

Date: November 19-20, 2025

Acute neurological disorders, such as traumatic brain injury or ischemic and haemorrhagic stroke, are amongst the most prevalent causes of death and disability worldwide. In addition, severe systemic insults such as sepsis or severe shock often affect the brain. Caring for patients with critical neurological and neurosurgical conditions is challenging, and requires a unique set of skills. 

The eCourse on Mastering the Brain in Critical Conditions offers an advanced educational programme on the management of neuro-critically ill patients, and will cover a broad spectrum of topics, including basic pathophysiological principles, traditional and novel diagnostic and monitoring tools, updated treatment strategies, and realistic clinical scenarios. 

After registering for the event, ensure you access the dedicated online classroom on the ESICM Academy.

Faculty

Directors:

  • Carmen LOPEZ SOTO MD Consultant in Critical Care Medicine, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London
  • Virginia NEWCOMBE MD Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge; Neurosciences & Trauma Critical Care Unit (NCCU), Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge 
  • Romain SONNEVILLE MD Université Paris Cité, IAME, INSERM U1137, F-75018 Paris, France; APHP. Nord, Hôpital Bichat – Claude Bernard, Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Paris, Chair Neuro-intensive care section, ESICM  

Endorsement: This Course is endorsed by the Neuro-Intensive Care Section, ESICM.

Objectives
  • To label the basic physiological functions and processes of the healthy central nervous system
  • To recognize the different aspects of the pathophysiology of the injured brain with a context-specific approach to:
    • Traumatic brain injury
    • Cerebrovascular disease
    • Central nervous system infection
    • Central nervous system inflammation
    • Spinal cord injury
  • To appraise indications and identify limitations of the following monitors:
    • Intracranial pressure
    • Cerebral oxygenation
    • Microdialysis
    • Transcranial doppler and brain ultrasound
    • Pupillometry
    • EEG
    • Neuro-imaging
  • To understand the inter-connection between the pathophysiology with clinical and neuromonitors as part of the management of the neurocritical care patient
Programme Content
  • Intracraneal pressure dynamics and how it affects cerebral perfusion pressure
  • Brain metabolism: how is it different in a crisis?
  • Inflammatory responses in the acute brain injured brain: the good, the bad and the ugly
  • The role of temperature on brain pathophysiology
  • Recognize indications and limitations of the neuro-monitors
  • Mechanisms of spinal cord injury and spinal perfusion pressure 
Target

Junior physicians, nurses and allied healthcare professionals with a special interest in Neuro Intensive Care

Support Emerging Nations and Eastern Europe

ESICM members from the Emerging Nations and Eastern Europe (see list of countries here) are entitled to an discount on registration fees. To qualify, participants must be active ESICM members for the current year. To become a member, please see more information here.

Accreditation

An application will be made to the UEMS EACCME® for CME accreditation of this event.

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