Carmelo Graffagnino

As an neurointensivist with subspecialty training in cerebrovascular disease and neurocritical care my research focus is on the application of neurocritical care interventions to help patients with acute strokes and head injuries. My current research focuses both on improving and innovation of new therapies for patients with acute stroke as well as improving the systems of care that deliver life saving treatments to patients with stroke. 

Current research studies include the use of neuroprotection strategies such as inhaled Nitric Oxide to protect the brain after removal of large vessel clots. I also involved in helping to develop and test new thrombolytic agents for use in acute stroke. 

I am also working with a multidisciplinary team of systems of care experts at DCRI to re-engineer our stroke system of care across the heart of the Stroke Belt through a project called IMPROVE-Stroke Care which is leveraging novel informatics data systems to deliver state of the art care for patients with acute stroke. 

I am also working with a number of colleagues in Neurology, Neurosurgery and Emergency medicine to apply the concept of system re-engineering to improve the outcomes of patients with acute traumatic brain injury in East Africa (Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania)