Research

Research

We actively engage in local research and collaborate on national and international research trials with the goal of informing neurocritical care worldwide.

Research

  • BOOST-3 Study: A multicenter, randomized, blinded-endpoint study comparing brain oxygen monitoring plus intracranial pressure monitoring versus intracranial pressure monitoring alone in severe TBI. Site PI – Andreas Kramer
  • PROTEST Study: Investigating prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism in severe TBI. Site PI – Andreas Kramer
  • NeuPART Study:  Exploring neurophysiology after withdrawal of therapy. Site PIs – Julie Kromm and Andreas Kramer
  • NeurO2 Study: Assessing optimal brain oxygenation in neurologic ICU patients. Site PI – Andreas Kramer
  • COPILOT Study: CPP Optimization to individualize care in TBI patients. PI – Andreas Kramer
  • COMPACT Study: Investigating the use of cerebral oximetry in the management of post arrest patient. PI – Andreas Kramer
  • EEGucation: Investigating the benefit of EEG education of ICU RNs for screening seizures on continuous EEG. PI - Julie Kromm

2024

  • SaHaRA Trial: Investigated transfusion thresholds in SAH. Site PI – Andreas Kramer. Published in New England Journal of Medicine DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2410962
  • HEMOTION Trial: Investigated transfusion thresholds in TBI. Site PI – Andreas Kramer. Published in New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2404360
  • RAISE Trial: Examining the use of ganaxolone in refractory status epilepticus. Site PI – Julie Kromm. 

Publications

  • Kramer AH, Couillard PL, Doig CJ, Kromm JA.  Neuroimaging augments DCD-N score in predicting time from withdrawal of life-sustaining measures to death among potential organ donors. Neurocrit Care. 2025. 10.1007/s12028-024-02204-x
  • Barriault A, Bencsik C, Soo A, Kramer A, Kromm J. Multimodal neuroprognostication of poor neurologic outcomes after cardiac arrest: a meta-analysis and systematic review. CJNS. 2025. doi:10.1017/cjn.2025.10112.
  • Chasse M, Shankar JJS, Fergusson DA...Couillard P, Kramer AH, et al. Computed tomography and angiography for death by neurologic criteria. JAMA Neurol. 2025; 82(9). doi:10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.2375
  • English SW, Delaney A, Fergusson DA...Kramer AH, et al.  Liberal or restrictive transfusion strategy in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.  N Engl J Med. 2025; 392: 1079-1088.
  • Turgeon AF, Fergusson DA, Clayton L...Kramer AH, et al.  Liberal or restrictive transfusion strategy in patients with traumatic brain injury.  N Engl J Med. 2024; 391: 722-35.
  • McKenzie ED, Kromm J, et.al. Risk Stratification and Management of Acute Respiratory Failure in Patients with Neuromuscular Disease. Crit Care Med. 2024; 52(11): 1781-89.
  • Van Diepen S, Le May M, Alfaro P…Kromm J, et. al. Canadian Cardiovascular Society Clinical Practice Update on Optimal Post Cardiac Arrest and Refractory Cardiac Arrest Patient Care. Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 2024; 40(4): 524-539.
  • Kromm J, Davenport A, Wilcox ME. How I Do It: Neuroprognostication after cardiac arrest. Chest Critical Care. 2024: 2(3): 100074.
  • Bencsik C, Josephson C, Soo A, Ainsworth C, Savard M, van Diepen S, Kramer A, Kromm J. The Evolving Role of Electroencephalography in Post Arrest Care. Canadian J of Neurological Sciences. 2024; Apr 4: 1-13. doi: 10.1017/cjn.2024.55.
  • Bencsik C, Kramer A, Couillard P, MacKay M, Kromm J. Post-Arrest Neuroprognostication: Practices and Opinions of Canadian Physicians. CJNS. 2023; 51(3): 404-415.
  • Kromm J, Bencsik C, Soo A, Ainsworth C, Savard M, van Diepen S, Kramer A. Somatosensory evoked potentials for post-arrest neuroprognostication. European Heart Journal: Acute Cardiovascular Care. 2023; 00: 1-8.
  • Fordyce C, Kramer A, Ainsworth C, Christenson J, Kromm J, et. al. Neuroprognostication in the Post Cardiac Arrest Patient: A Canadian Cardiovascular Society Position Statement. Canadian J Cardiology. 2023; 39(4): 366-380.
  • Shemie SD, Wilson LC, Hornby L... Kramer AH, Kromm J, et al. A Brain-Based Definition of Death and Criteria for its Determination After Arrest of Circulation or Neurologic Function in Canada: A Clinical Practice Guidelines. Canadian J Anesthesia. 2023; 70: 483-557. 

Grants & Funding

  • Core Outcomes in Subarachnoid Hemorrhage, PI Shane English, Co-I Andreas Kramer, CIHR $726,752
  • BRAINapt: TBI International Adaptive Platform Trial, PI Alexis Turgeon, Co-I Andreas Kramer, CIHR $4,846,275
  • Brain-based prediction of dying duration in humans after withdrawal of life sustaining measures to inform donation after circulatory death, PI Mypinder Sekhon, Co-I Julie Kromm, CIHR $235,000
  • NeurO2: optimal brain oxygenation in neurocritically ill patients, PI Alexis Turgeon, Co-I Andreas Kramer, CIHR $432,224
  • Post Arrest Biomarker for Prognostication, PI-Caralyn Bencsik, Synder Incubator Grant, $30,000
  • EEGucation & NeuroSim, PI Julie Kromm, OMHES, $13,000
  • NeuPaRT: Neurologic Physiology after Removal of Therapy study, PIs Teneille Gofton & Marat Slessarev, Co-Is Julie Kromm & Andreas Kramer, $684,676
  • RAISE, Site-PI Julie Kromm, Industry Funded $25,000
  • Our program remains grateful for the generous $2.5M in support we have received from the Calgary Health Foundation and its donors to support our clinical, research and educational initiatives

Testimonials

My name is Anna, and I am currently entering my third year at Western University in Medical Sciences. This summer, I had the opportunity to work with Dr. Julie Kromm and Ish Bains on research aiming to improve status epilepticus patient outcomes in Calgary ICUs. We collaborated with other students and healthcare professionals to conduct 5 systematic reviews on different treatment options to develop an updated, evidence-based protocol for status epilepticus management. I also assisted in revising the EEG curriculum for ICU nurses in Calgary to enhance their ability to interpret EEGs and therefore improve seizure patient treatments and outcomes. Working with the Department of Critical Care Medicine this summer has given me invaluable exposure to what research truly means in medicine, while also inspiring me to continue to work toward my goals and my future.

Anna Howard

Anna Howard

I had the privilege of working with Dr. Jaworska and Dr. Kromm this summer. I contributed to a qualitative analysis of ICU sedation practices to inform the development of a novel care pathway and supported different systematic and scoping reviews. I am grateful for the mentorship I received and the chance to learn from the critical care team through this meaningful work.

Moses Mo

Moses Mo