ESICM Courses

Mastering the Brain in Critical Conditions

Last updated : 10/06/2025 - 2312 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
  • 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
  • Define basic anatomical and physiological principles of cerebral blood flow, metabolism and autoregulation
  • Understand the inter-connection between the pathophysiology with clinical presentation and their correlation with neuro-monitors in the management of the neurocritical care patient
  • Recognize altered mechanisms of intracranial pressure and cerebral perfusion pressure leading to secondary brain injury
  • 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
  • Understand the mechanisms of injury of the spinal cord
  • Appraise indications and identify limitations of the following monitors
    • Intracranial pressure
    • Cerebral oxygenation
    • Microdialysis
    • Transcranial doppler and brain ultrasound
    • Pupillometry
    • EEG
    • Neuro-imaging
Programme Content
  • Intracranial pressure dynamics and its relation with cerebral perfusion pressure
  • Brain metabolism
  • Inflammatory responses in the acute brain injured brain: the good, the bad and the ugly
  • The role of temperature on brain pathophysiology
  • Based on practical cases, the following monitors will be explained and inked with the pathophysiological processes that lead to brain injury
    • ICP
    • Pbt02
    • Microdialysis
    • Transcranial doppler
    • Electroencephalography
    • Imaging: CT and MRI
  • Mechanisms of spinal cord injury and spinal perfusion pressure 
Target

Experienced and junior intensive care physicians, intensive care nurses and allied healthcare professionals who would want an update and overview of the neurocritical care patient.

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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